Bare Act
The Kerala Anatomy Act 1957
This Act regulates the disposal of unclaimed dead bodies in Kerala by providing procedures for handling those who die in hospitals, prisons, and public places when relatives cannot be located quickly. Government-appointed officials are authorized to take possession of such bodies and deliver them to authorized teaching medical institutions for anatomical examination and dissection. The legislation establishes clear definitions for terms like "near relative" and "unclaimed body" while balancing the needs of medical education with the rights of families and the deceased. The Act protects relatives' fundamental right to claim bodies within a prescribed timeframe while providing Government flexibility to use unclaimed bodies when there is no alternative and the public interest justifies such use for medical research and teaching purposes.
- 1. 1. Short title, extent and commencement.-
- 2. 2. Definitions.-
- 3. 3. Power of Government to authorize officers to act under section 4.-
- 4. 4. Unclaimed dead bodies in hospitals, prisons and public places how to be deal with.-
- 4A. 4A. Taking possession of dead bodies with the prior consent of deceased persons.-
- 5. 5. Doubt of dispute as to near relative to be referred to Magistrate of the First Class.-
- 6. 6. Penalty.-
- 7. 7. Duty of Police and other officers to assist in obtaining possession of unclaimed bodies.-
- 8. 8. Protection of persons acting under this Act.-
- 9. 9. Officers to be public servants.-
- 10. 10. Power to make rules.-
- Schedule. SCHEDULE
PDF: pending for this language.