4. Procedures in case of unclaimed dead bodies in hospitals, or orphanges, senior citizensÂ’ homes, ashrams, Jails and public places.
(1)If a person dies in hospitals, or orphanges, senior citizens, homes, ashrams, Jails or public places and his body is not claimed by any person interested within the prescribed time as may be laid down, the authority in-charge of the hospital or prison or police officer shall, with the least practicable delay report the fact to the authorized officer and the said officer shall take possession of the unclaimed body and except in the case of referred to in sub-section (3), hand it over to the authority in-charge of the an approved institution, if it is required by that authority, for the purpose of conducting anatomical examination and dissection or other similar purpose.(2)If a person dies in a public place in an area in which he had no permanent place of residence and the body of that person is not claimed by any person interested within the prescribed time, the authorized officer shall take possession of such unclaimed body and except in the case referred to in sub-section (3), hand it over to authority in-charge of an approved institution, if it is required by that authority, for the purpose specific in sub-section (1).(3)When there is any doubt regarding the cause of death or when for any reason the authorized officer considers it expedient so to do, he shall forward the unclaimed body to police officer referred to in section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.(4)Where any unclaimed body taken possession by authorized officer under this section is not required by the authority in-charge of an approved institution for the purpose specific in sub-section-(1) it shall be disposed of in the manner as may be prescribed.
