Chandigarh: The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of an incident in Phagwara where an unclaimed body was transported from the civil hospital to a crematorium in a municipal garbage collection vehicle.
A bench comprising Chairperson Justice Sant Prakash and Member Gurbir Singh said media reports and a viral video brought the matter to its notice. The footage showed a garbage vehicle carrying the body, while the driver allegedly claimed this had been a routine practice.
Calling the act a serious violation of human dignity and human rights, the Commission sought detailed reports from the Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police and the Phagwara Municipal Commissioner. The officials have been directed to submit their responses at least a week before the next hearing scheduled for January 27, 2026.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among local residents who questioned how civic authorities could allow such treatment of a human body.
