SC Restrains Exhumation of Tribal Christians' Bodies in Chhattisgarh Villages
18 Feb 2026 3:59 PM IST18 Feb 2026 3:59 PM IST
Plea by Chhattisgarh Association for Justice and Equality alleges denial of fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Supreme Court of India.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from the Chhattisgarh government on a plea alleging exhumation and forced reburial of bodies of tribal Christians in villages in the state, and restrained any further exhumation in the interim.
A three-judge Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria passed the order while hearing a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution by the Chhattisgarh Association for Justice and Equality and others through advocate Satya Mitra.
The plea alleged that tribal Christians were being forcibly prevented from burying their deceased family members in village burial grounds, amounting to a violation of their fundamental rights under Article 21.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that the body of the mother of one of the petitioners was exhumed and reburied elsewhere without his knowledge. He further alleged that the body of another petitioner’s husband was forcibly exhumed by members of the majority community and reburied at a distant location.
Issuing notice to the state, the court observed, “In the meantime, it is provided that no further exhumation of buried bodies shall be permitted.” The matter has been posted for hearing after four weeks.
The petition has sought directions restraining the state and individuals from interfering with the burial of tribal Christians within village limits.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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