Delhi HC allows repatriation of mortal remains of British citizen of Indian origin
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court has paved the way for the repatriation of the mortal remains of a British citizen of Indian origin who wished to be buried next to his grandparents in his native place Hyderabad.
The deceased's father approached the high court challenging the decision of the Consular section of the High Commission of India in London refusing to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the transfer of mortal remains as the deceased did not possess an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card at the time of his death in Chertsey, United Kingdom, last month.
Directing issuance of the NOC, Justice Sanjeev Narula observed that the guidelines governing such matters laid emphasis on the deceased being a person of Indian origin, a fact already confirmed in the present case through documents placed on record.
The petitioner, an Indian citizen, showed that the deceased initially held an Indian passport which affirmed his Indian origin.
The court further said there was a "discrepancy" in the rules of different Indian High Commissions, with the Indian High Commission in London mandating an OCI card for the repatriation of mortal remains, while other Missions having no such stringent requirements, which suggested arbitrariness in the application of these rules.
"Such an inconsistent application of policy, without transparent, rational justifications, contravenes Article 14 of the Constitution of India, which ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
"Consequently, the insistence by the High Commission in London on an OCI card, unjustifiably discriminates against the petitioner's rights to repatriate his son's remains in a manner respectful of his familial and cultural ties," said the court in a recent order.
"A mandamus is issued directing Respondent No. 1 to issue a No Objection Certificate to Petitioner's daughter-in-law for transfer of mortal remains of the deceased from the United Kingdom to Hyderabad," it directed.
The petitioner argued that repatriation of mortal remains was a vital consular service, deeply intertwined with human dignity and familial rights, and should not variably depend on any specific identity documentation such as an OCI card, especially when there is an Indian origin or connection.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
