Priest death case: GHRC seeks reports from Goa Chief Secy, DGP

The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) today sought reports from the State Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police over the body of a Catholic priest still languishing in the morgue of a government-run hospital even 16 months after his death.
In its order, the GHRC directed the Chief Secretary, the DGP as well as the dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to submit reports by April 3 in response to the petition filed by social activist Aires Rodrigues today.
In the petition, Rodrigues said that the body of the priest, Fr Bismarque Dias, has been languishing in the GMHC morgue for over 16 months and no last rites conducted.

The post-mortem report had revealed that the 51-year-old priest had died due to drowning in November 2015, following which the Crime Branch had initiated investigation into his death.
The Crime Branch had ruled out any foul play in the case.
However, expressing unhappiness over the Crime Branch findings, Dias' family members had refused to take away the body.

In the petition, Rodrigues claimed that since all the forensic tests have been conducted and the viscera report has been received, the mortal remains are not required for any further detailed medical examination.
"Dias, who so selflessly, dedicatedly and tirelessly toiled for Goa, must be given a fitting farewell and be laid to rest with all due respect to the great departed soul," the social activist said.

Rodrigues has drawn GHRC's attention to the recent Supreme Court judgement, which held that "even in death a person has dignity and the dead deserves to be treated with human dignity".
Dias was at the forefront of several agitations over environmental issues in the state, including the one opposing a golf course in North Goa.