RAMESH BAGHEL Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) It is said that death is a great leveller. It is necessary for us to remind ourselves time and again about this solemn truth. But the instant case demonstrates that the death of a resident of a village can give rise to divisiveness thereby calling upon the Apex Court to rule on his site of burial.

(3.) Appellant herein is a bereaved son and an aggrieved litigant. A third generation Christian, the appellant belongs to the New Apostolic Church. His family and ancestors have been native residents of village Chhindwada, Tehsil Darbha, District Bastar, Chhattisgarh for generations and belong to the Mahra caste or community. A native resident of the same village Chhindwada, the appellant's father, a man of faith and a pastor since 1986-87, passed away on January 7th, 2025 after suffering from prolonged illness and old age. In his living years, the appellant's father led and participated in prayers organized in the village church and other places as well.