Ensure Not More Than 20 People Attend Burial/Crematorium Grounds : Karnataka HC Directs State Govt.

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said "State must take measure to ensure that said clause is implemented in as much as there is a direction issued under Disaster Management Act, which lays down that not more than 20 people can attend burial/crematorium grounds, violation of directions under the Act, will attract penal provisions."

The bench while hearing a batch of petitions regarding availability of medical facilities for treatment of Covid-19 patients in the state were informed about the revised guidelines issued for management of dead bodies in context of Covid-19.

The guidelines state that for medical certification of cause of death it is not mandatory to mention that a person died of Covid-19, unless it was the actual cause of death. In regards to handling of dead bodies of suspected covid-19 patients, it is said that "Dead body of suspected covid-19 death should be handed over to the family members in a dignified manner immediately after collecting swab and should not wait for laboratory results.

The guidelines also mentions that hospitals will be handing over a hand out to relatives about do's and don'ts to be followed while handling the dead bodies till it is cremated or buried.

Pourakarmikas safety

The court was informed by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) that a total of 567 pourakarmikas have been tested positive for covid-19. The bench directed BBMP to on the next date clarify whether all 567 cases patients have been hospitalized or put up in Covid care centres. We hope and trust and as per assurance given earlier all of them must be paid their regular salary.

The state government also informed the court that it was considering the issue of increasing the insurance cover to pourakarmikas and other sanitation workers from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.