The Punjab Anatomy Act, 1963
The Punjab Anatomy Act, 1963
The Punjab Anatomy Act, 1963 regulates the supply of unclaimed bodies of deceased persons in the State of Punjab to approved medical and educational institutions. Applying to hospitals, prisons, police, local authorities, and designated officers, the law outlines procedures for reporting and handing over unclaimed bodies when no near relatives come forward to claim them. These bodies can then be legally used for medical education, surgical training, research, and therapeutic purposes. This law matters because it provides a legal mechanism for medical institutions to obtain human cadavers essential for medical training and scientific research, while prohibiting unauthorized disposal and penalizing interference.
- 1. Short title and extent.
- 2. Definitions.
- 3. Doubt or dispute as to near relative to be referred to authorised officer.
- 4. Power to appoint authorised officers.
- 5. Unclaimed dead bodies to be used for therapeutic purposes, anatomical examination, etc.
- 6. Penalty.
- 7. Duty of Police and other officers to assist in obtaining possession of unclaimed bodies.
- 8. Protection of persons acting under the Act.
- 9. Officers to be public servants.
- 10. Rules.
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