Panaji (Goa): While holding that the dead body cannot be kept in the morgue for an indefinite period, the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) comprising of A.D. Salkar and J.A Keny has asked the North Goa Collector to issue suitable directions in accordance with law to dispose the body of late Fr. Bismarque Dias which is lying in the morgue at Goa Medical College in Bambolim since 7th November 2015.
In April this year the North Goa Collector had submitted before the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) that the Parish Priest of St Estevam had informed that he cannot carry out the final rites of Fr Bismarque Dias without the N.O.C from the relatives
Adv. Aires Rodrigues in his complaint to the GHRC in March this year had pointed out that since 7th November 2015 the decomposed body of late Fr. Bismarque Dias who was found dead at St Estevam was languishing in the morgue of the Goa Medical College.
Pointing out that with all the forensic tests done and the viscera report having been received the mortal remains are not required for any further examination, Adv. Rodrigues in his complaint submitted that Fr Bismarque Dias who so selflessly, dedicatedly and tirelessly toiled for Goa must be given a fitting farewell and laid to rest with all due respect to the great departed soul.
Stating that it was very distressing that for no reason the body of Fr Bismarque Dias remains consigned in the very unhygienic and regularly malfunctional morgue which is also infested with a huge brigade of rats and other rodents, Adv. Rodrigues further submitted that Fr Bismarque Dias’s last rites cannot wait any longer and that if nobody claims his body to hold the last rites it would be a social responsibility to ensure that his human right is not any further violated.
Adv. Rodrigues had also drawn the attention of the GHRC that the Supreme Court had held that even in death a person has dignity and when one is dead deserves to be treated with human dignity it being a basic human right.
Stating that the State Government cannot shy away from its duty in ensuring the disposal of the body and was duty bound to conduct the last rites, Adv. Rodrigues further stated that even the Goa Medical College has Rules and Standing Instructions for disposal of a cadaver and that such kind of disrespect to late Fr Bismarque Dias cannot be tolerated any longer.
