Stray Animals Licking Human Remains at Lucknow Crematorium: Allahabad High Court Orders Urgent Measures
The Allahabad High Court has directed immediate repair and renovation of Pipra Ghat crematorium in Lucknow Cantonment after being told that stray animals were entering the premises and, in some cases, licking and scattering human remains left behind after cremations.
Calling the issue "serious" and requiring "urgent remedial measures", the high court said the right to live with human dignity extends beyond death and every deceased person is entitled to a respectful funeral and cremation.
Court also ordered authorities to ensure drinking water facilities and expedite the construction of a modern crematorium.
The directions came on a Public Interest Litigation filed by Shiv Gupta concerning the condition of the Pipra Ghat funeral ground.
How Did Human Remains Become Accessible To Stray Animals At The Crematorium?
According to the petitioner, the crematorium lacks basic infrastructure, including a proper boundary wall, drinking water facilities and washrooms.
The petitioner told the court that because the boundary wall is damaged and inadequate, stray monkeys, dogs and cows frequently enter the cremation ground and dirty the premises with excreta.
More disturbingly, it was alleged that after families leave the funeral ground while the funeral pyre is still burning, animals sometimes enter the area and lick or scatter human remains lying within the crematorium.
The allegations prompted the court to closely examine the condition of the facility.
A division bench of Justice Shekhar B. Saraf and Justice Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary observed that the issue raised in the PIL was serious and warranted immediate intervention.
What Did The Allahabad High Court Say About Dignity After Death?
Answering that question, court held that dignity does not end with death.
The bench observed that the "right to live with human dignity extends beyond death", ensuring that every deceased individual is given a respectful funeral and due honour even during cremation.
Referring to the Supreme Court's judgment in Ashray Adhikar Abhiyan v. Union of India (2002), court emphasized that dignified last rites are protected under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The petitioner had sought directions for proper maintenance of the Pipra Ghat funeral ground and for ensuring that every person receives a respectable send-off after death.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the Cantonment Board informed the court that a proposal for construction of a modern crematorium had already been sanctioned and that authorities were in the process of floating a tender.
Taking note of the submission, the bench directed the concerned authority to act expeditiously and float the tender immediately, preferably within four weeks.
Court further directed authorities to immediately examine the issues highlighted in the PIL and undertake repair and renovation work at the crematorium.
It also ordered the immediate availability of drinking water facilities at the existing cremation ground.
Case Title: Shiv Gupta v. Union of India & Others
Order Date: June 3, 2026
Bench: Justice Shekhar B. Saraf and Justice Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary