The Jammu and Kashmir Anatomy Act, 1959

(1) This Act may be called the Jammu and Kashmir Anatomy Act, 1959. (2) It extends to whole of the State. (3) This section shall come into force at once and the remaining sections shall come into force on such date and in such area as the Government may by notification in the Government Gazette, direct.

In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context : (a) “approved institution” means a hospital or a medical institution approved by the Government to carry on anatomical examination, dissection and transplantation organs] ; (b) “authorized officer” means an officer authorizes by the Government to perform the functions of an authorized officer under this Act ; (c) “near relative’’ means any of the following relatives of the deceased, namely, a wife, husband, parent, son, daughter, brother and sister and includes any other person who is related to the deceased by–– (i) lineal or collateral consanguinity within three degrees in lineal relationship and six degrees in collateral relationship, or (ii) marriage either with the deceased or with any relative specifically mentioned in this clause or with any other relative within the aforesaid degrees ; (d) “unclaimed body” means the body of a deceased person who has no near relative or whose body has not been claimed by any of his near relatives within such period as may be prescribed ; (e) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act.

If any doubt or dispute arises whether a person is a near relative of the deceased, the matter shall be referred to such officer as may be appointed in this behalf by the Government and his decision shall be final and conclusive.

The Government may, by notification in the Government Gazette, authorise for the area in which this Act comes into force or any part thereof, one or more officers to whom a report shall be made under section 5 and who shall be competent to act under the said section.

(1) Where a person under treatment in a hospital whether established by or vesting in, or maintained by, the Government or any local authority, dies in such hospital and his body is unclaimed, the authorities incharge of such hospital shall, with the least practicable delay report the fact to the authorised officer and such officer shall then hand over the unclaimed body to the authorities in charge of an approved institution for the purpose of conducting anatomical examination, dissection and removal of healthy organs for transplantation. (2) Where a person dies at a hospital other than a hospital referred to in subsection (1) or in a prison and his body is unclaimed, the authorities incharge of such hospital or prison shall, with the least practicable delay, report the fact to the authorised officer; and the said officer shall hand over the unclaimed body to the authorities in charge of an approved institution for the purpose specified in sub-section (1). (3) Where a person having no permanent place of residence in the area where his death has taken place dies in any public place in such area and his body is unclaimed, the authorised officer shall take possession of the body and shall hand over to the authorities in charge of an approved institution for the purpose specified in sub-section (1). (4) Where in any case mentioned in sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) above the authority incharge of an approved institution certifies that an unclaimed body is not fit for anatomical examination or dissection or is not otherwise required for that purpose, the authorised officer shall dispose it of by cremation or burial on Government expenses.

Whoever disposes of, or abets the disposal of, an unclaimed body, save as permitted by this Act, or obstructs any authority incharge of an approved institution or an authorised officer in handing over, taking possession of, removing or using such dead body for the purpose specified in this Act, shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to Rs. 500.

All officers of the Departments of Police and Public Health and all officers in the employ of a local authority and all village officers shall be bound to take all reasonable measures to assist any authority or officer authorised under this Act to obtain the possession of an unclaimed dead body.

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.

All officers appointed or authorised to act under this Act shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Jammu and Kashmir State Ranbir Penal Code, Svt. 1989.

(1) The Government may, by notification in the Government Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), such rules may prescribe the period within which a near relative shall claim the body of a deceased person and embalming of dead bodies.

(1) The Jammu and Kashmir Anatomy Ordinance, 1959 (11 of 1959) is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under this Act, as if this Act were in force on the date such thing was done or action taken.