Panji (Goa): Adv. Aires Rodrigues has today filed a petition before the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) seeking that the post-mortem on female dead bodies be done only by lady doctors assisted by female attendants.

Stating that it was anguishing and humiliating that at the Government hospitals in the State the post-mortem on female dead bodies was being conducted by male doctors assisted by male attendants, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that this was very objectionable as it was insensitive as well as in rank violation of the fundamental rights and more importantly a gross Human Right violation of the dead females.

Pointing out that death does not diminish the right to dignity which is due to the females, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that  Women’s rights under the Constitution of India ensure equality and dignity, while various statutes govern the rights of women and that the status of women is strongly intertwined with the family.

Drawing the attention of the GHRC that in 2016 the Supreme Court in Vikas Yadav v/s State of UP has held that even in death a person has dignity and when one is dead deserves to be treated with human dignity, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the current practice needs to be stopped and the post-mortems on female dead bodies must be conducted by female doctors solely assisted by female attendants and that the State government cannot shy away from its duty of ensuring this.

Seeking the intervention of the GHRC, Adv. Rodrigues has sought that the Chief Secretary, Director of Health Services and the Dean of Goa Medical College be directed to explain as to what steps they plan to take to ensure that the Human Rights of the dead females are not any further violated.

Team TNV