New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has ordered an immediate stop to the exhumation of buried bodies in tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, offering interim relief to Christian families who alleged repeated violations of burial rights. The order came after a public interest petition highlighted cases of forced disinterment and denial of dignified burial practices.
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria directed that no further exhumation of buried bodies take place during the pendency of the matter. The Court issued notice to the Chhattisgarh government and sought its response within four weeks. The petition was filed by the Chhattisgarh Association for Justice and Equality with support from pastors, social activists, a medical professional and affected residents.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioners, told the Court that the incidents reflected a recurring pattern across southern Chhattisgarh. He referred to tribal dominated districts such as Bastar and Kanker, where Christian families were allegedly pressured to exhume deceased relatives from village burial grounds and rebury them at distant locations. He stated that burial spaces traditionally used by all villagers were being restricted along religious lines.
The petition described such actions as cruel and degrading, asserting violations of the constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity and life under Articles 14 and 21. It cited cases where families faced intimidation and social pressure during funerals.
One incident in Benur village of Bastar district involved the alleged exhumation, cremation and scattering of the remains of a tribal Christian man. In Kanker district, the burial of the father of Rajman Salam, an elected village headman, reportedly triggered objections from local groups who claimed religious ownership of the land. Similar complaints emerged from Krutola village and other areas, where families said they were denied access to common cemeteries. Pastors assisting with burials reportedly faced detention in some cases.
The petition urged the Court to restrain authorities and private individuals from interfering in lawful burials. It also sought directions to gram panchayats to allocate burial spaces for all communities without discrimination and to establish common graveyards.
The United Christian Forum welcomed the interim order. Its National President Dr Michael Williams said the decision protected the dignity of the deceased and the religious freedom of minorities. The forum reported 23 burial related incidents in 2025, with most from Chhattisgarh.
Similar disputes have surfaced in parts of Odisha and Jharkhand. Legal observers note that the Court’s order signals that burial disputes require lawful resolution rather than coercion. The matter will return to the Court after the state files its reply.
