Chhattisgarh High Court Orders Burial of Converted Christian Woman in Native Village

The Chhattisgarh High Court has mandated the burial of a woman who converted to Christianity in her native village in Bastar. The court's decision supports her family's wishes despite local villagers' objections. Justice Parth Prateem Sahu emphasized the importance of a dignified burial, referencing Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has issued an order for the burial of a woman, who had converted to Christianity, on private land she owned in her native village in Bastar district, following her family's wishes.

A bench led by Justice Parth Prateem Sahu delivered the verdict on Monday while hearing a petition filed by Ramlal Kashyap from Arracote village in Bastar. Kashyap sought to perform his mother's last rites in accordance with Christian customs, which local villagers opposed.

Referencing Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, the court underscored the settled legal principle that includes the right to a decent burial. "Right to life implies a meaningful life with human dignity, not just an animal life, and extends to a person even after death," noted the court. The deceased, Pando Kashyap, passed away naturally on June 28.

Kashyap faced objections from villagers and was asked by local law enforcement to use a Christian community graveyard 15 km away. The mother's body was stored in a mortuary due to decomposition.

The court instructed authorities to return the body to Kashyap for burial in their native village and directed the Bastar Superintendent of Police to ensure the family's protection until the burial was completed.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)