Burial Denied to Tribal Christian Woman in Chhattisgarh Village Despite Top Court’s Protective Order

Raipur, February 27, 2026: A tribal Christian family in Kanker district has been denied burial rights for a deceased family member, days after the Supreme Court of India issued an interim order halting the exhumation of tribal Christians’ bodies in villages across the state.

According to a press note released by the Progressive Christian Alliance, Sambai Mandavi, approximately 34, died on February 24 due to respiratory and cardiac complications while being taken to hospital. Her husband, Kamlesh Mandavi of Pandripura in Amodi village under Durgkondal Police Station in Antagarh tehsil, has reportedly been prevented from conducting her burial either in the village’s public cemetery or on privately owned family land.

Local villagers allegedly opposed the burial and demanded “Ghar Wapsi” (reconversion to Hinduism), while issuing threats that reportedly included physical assault, damage to property, and the possibility of exhumation if burial rites were performed. They also claimed Christian burial practices would defile local land and deities, the press note stated.

As a result, Mandavi’s body remains in the mortuary of the local government hospital in Durgkondal, prolonging distress for the bereaved family.

Kamlesh Mandavi has submitted a formal complaint to the district administration, naming those allegedly involved in obstructing the burial and detailing the threats faced by the family.

The incident follows a February 18 interim directive by the apex court ordering a halt to exhumations of tribal Christians’ bodies in Chhattisgarh villages. Advocacy groups say the latest case raises concerns about enforcement of judicial protections at the ground level.

Condemning the development, the Progressive Christian Alliance called for immediate intervention by state authorities to ensure the family’s right to dignified burial, uphold constitutional guarantees, and protect vulnerable minority communities.

Rev. Simon  Digbal Tandi

Progressive Christian Alliance