Top Court Halts Forced Exhumations in Chhattisgarh; Rights Group Welcomes Interim Relief

New Delhi, February 20, 2026 — The Supreme Court of India has ordered an immediate halt to the forced exhumation of buried bodies in Chhattisgarh, a move welcomed by the United Christian Forum (UCF) as a significant step toward safeguarding the dignity of the deceased and upholding the religious and cultural rights of Christian communities and other minorities in the region.

In an interim order dated December 19, 2025, a Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N. V. Anjaria directed that “no further exhumation of buried bodies shall be permitted” while issuing notice to the State government. The order arose from a public interest litigation filed by the Chhattisgarh Association for Justice and Equality, supported by community members and social activists.

Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves told the Court that Christian families in tribal villages had faced repeated instances of relatives’ remains being forcibly removed from burial grounds and reburied elsewhere without consent. The petition described a pattern of intimidation in which access to shared village cemeteries was restricted on religious grounds, compelling families to abandon Christian burial rites or bury the deceased far from their homes.

One incident cited in the petition involved a burial in Benur village, where hostility toward tribal Christians allegedly led to the exhumation of remains and their subsequent cremation. The plea argued that such actions violate constitutional guarantees of equality and the right to life and dignity.

The petition also raised concerns about the response of local authorities, alleging instances where police failed to protect grieving families or facilitated removals. It sought judicial directions to restrain interference in lawful burials, ensure religion-neutral burial spaces through local self-governments, and promote common graveyards accessible to all communities.

In a statement, UCF National President Dr. Michael Williams welcomed the Court’s intervention and urged authorities to ensure strict implementation of the order to prevent further trauma to affected families.

The interim order comes amid reports of burial-related tensions in parts of Odisha and Jharkhand as well, where rights groups say tribal Christian families have faced obstruction, coercion and social ostracism. UCF said it documented multiple incidents in 2025, particularly in Chhattisgarh, reflecting what it described as a recurring pattern of hostility linked to burial practices.

The organisation also called on state governments to ensure protection during funerals in sensitive areas, initiate action against officials who fail to prevent violations, and establish clearly demarcated common burial grounds accessible to all residents regardless of faith.

While the matter remains pending before the Court, the interim directive is widely seen as a critical legal safeguard against coercive burial practices and a reminder of constitutional protections for religious freedom and human dignity.

By Fr. Santhosh Digal