Meghalaya HC orders action against those hindering burial, cremation

GUWAHATI: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed that there should be no obstruction to the burial or cremation of coronavirus patients in the state.

A division bench of Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice W Diengdoh said any person, local body or Dorbar Shnong (local chieftain) or organisation that hinders state authorities dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic or any related matter such as cremation and burial of victims shall be dealt with in accordance with the law and cases will be registered against them.

“State authorities shall sensitise the public, especially where the cremation or burial grounds are situated, to avoid any further unfortunate incident as had been witnessed on April 15,” the court said.


There was confusion following the death of the first Covid-19 patient in the state when a local group objected to burial of the body and then another group objected to the cremation, following which the Meghalaya Bar Association filed a public interest litigation in the high court. The victim was eventually buried in the cemetery of the Riathsamthiah Presbyterian Church in Shillong on Thursday.

Senior counsel SP Mahanta submitted that there was no designated Covid-19 hospital in the state and no notification prescribing the procedure for the burial and cremation of coronavirus victims.

K Paul, vice president of the High Court Bar Association, submitted that the actions of local bodies in preventing burial and cremation were in violation of the law and they were liable to be punished accordingly.