The father of Shraddha Walkar has moved an application in a Delhi court seeking her remains for cremation, as tradition and culture require the performance of her last rites. Shraddha was allegedly strangled by her live-in partner last year, and her body was reportedly sawed into pieces and kept in a fridge for almost three weeks. Her partner then allegedly scattered her remains at different places in Delhi to avoid being caught.
The application requests that the proceedings be conducted quickly so that the bones and other body parts of the victim can be exhibited and handed over to her family. The Delhi Police will reply to the petition on April 29.According to the application moved by Advocate Seema Kushwaha on behalf of Vikas Madan Walkar, Shraddha Walkar’s father, more than 10 months have passed since Shraddha’s death and the last date for cremation based on the Hindu calendar is May 8. The application requested for a fast proceeding so that the bones and other body parts of the victim could be exhibited and handed over to her family for the performance of the last rites, as per custom and tradition. The application made by Advocate Seema Kushwaha on behalf of Vikas Madan Walkar highlights that the right to a decent funeral can be traced in Article 25 of the Constitution of India. Article 25 provides for the freedom of conscience and the freedom to practice and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health, and to the other fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. It emphasizes that the right to perform the last rites of a deceased person is deeply rooted in the traditional beliefs and cultural practices of the country and depriving the family members of the deceased victim of this right would violate the fundamental rights of the deceased under Articles 21 and 25 of the Constitution.
