Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Monday issued a notice to the state, Thane Municipal Corporation’s health department, Thane collector and others, seeking their replies to a PIL filed by Melwyn Fernandes and four others over lack of adequate burial grounds for Christians in Thane, and questioned the authorities on the delay in handing over plots reserved for cemetery.
Senior counsel
Mihir Desai and advocate
Sunita Banis
argued that Fernandes, one of the parishioners of the Thane Our Lady of Mercy Church, had learnt through RTI that there were 10 reserved plots for cemeteries.
The PIL sought orders for completing documentation of all such reserved burial grounds to ensure people can give their kin a “decent burial”. The court heard government pleader P P Kakade and senior counsel
Ram Apte
and directed affidavits in reply be filed by March 11. A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice VG Bisht posted the mater to March 21. tnn
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.