PHAGWARA, Nov. 20 — The Punjab State Human Rights Commission on Thursday ordered an inquiry into a shocking incident where an unclaimed body was transported from Phagwara Civil Hospital to a cremation ground in a municipal garbage vehicle. The PSHRC has directed authorities to submit a report ahead of the next hearing on January 27, 2026.
PSHRC Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash and member Justice Gurbir Singh emphasized the breach of human dignity after a viral video showed the body being dumped into a garbage truck near Phagwara railway station. According to the commission, the driver reportedly claimed that such transport was routine.
Officials from the Kapurthala police and Phagwara Municipal Corporation have been asked to provide their reports by email and post. The state Special DGP for Human Rights in Chandigarh has been notified to ensure compliance, the PSHRC said.
Initially, municipal authorities denied knowledge of the incident. Mayor Rampal Uppal promised accountability, stating, “Strict action will be taken and an inquiry has been ordered to fix responsibility.”
MC Commissioner Akshita Gupta called the incident “serious” and confirmed that the inquiry is already underway. “We are committed to taking stringent action against those responsible,” she said.
