Authority for removal of eyes in the case of unclaimed bodies in certain institutions

(1) In the case of a dead body lying in a hospital, prison, nursing home or other like institution and not claimed by any of the near relatives of the deceased person, authority for the removal of the eyes from the dead body which so remains unclaimed may be given, subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), in the prescribed form, by the person in-charge, for the time being, of the management or control of the hospital, prison, nursing home or other like institutions or by an employee of such hospital, prison, nursing home or other like institution, authorised or designated in this behalf by the person in the charge of management or control thereof.

1. (2) The authority referred to in sub-section (1) shall not be given except after the expiry of—
   • (i) half an hour from the time of the death of the concerned person, in cases where no facility for cold storage of the dead body is available in the hospital, prison, nursing home or other like institutions; or
   • (ii) two hours from the time of death of the concerned person, in cases where facility for cold storage of the dead body is available in the hospital, prison, nursing home or other like institution.
2. (3) No authority shall be given under sub-section (1) if the person empowered to give such authority has reason to believe that any near relative of the deceased is likely to claim the dead body even though such near relative has not come forward to claim the body of the deceased within the time specified in this behalf.