Unclaimed dead bodies to be used for therapeutic purposes, anatomical examination, etc.

(1) Where a person under treatment in a hospital, whether established by or vesting in, or maintained by, the State Government or any local authority, dies in such hospital and his body is unclaimed, the authorities in charge 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 any therapeutic purpose or for the purpose of conducting anatomical examination, dissection, surgical operation or research work. (2) Where a person dies in a hospital, other than a hospital referred to in sub-section (1), or in a prison and his body is unclaimed, the authorities in charge of such hospital or prison shall with the least practicable delay report the fact to the authorised officer, and such officer shall hand over the unclaimed body to the authorities in charge of an approved institution for any 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 of that area shall take possession of the body and shall hand it over to the authorities in charge of an approved institution for any purpose specified in sub-section (1).