The Supreme Court did not hear the petition demanding to bring the ashes of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose from Tokyo to India. The court said that these things had been brought before it several times. Many people have filed such petitions claiming to be descendants of Netaji. After this, petitioner’s lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi withdrew the petition. He said that the petition will be filed in the name of Netaji’s daughter Anita.
The petition which the Supreme Court refused to hear was filed by Ashish Ray, son of Netaji’s niece. During the hearing, the judges also raised questions on the timing of filing the petition, pointing towards the assembly elections in West Bengal.
Senior advocate Singhvi, appearing for the petitioner, told the judges that Netaji’s daughter Anita is also associated with the online hearing. On this the court said, ‘We respect his sentiments. Let them file the petition themselves. After that we will consider.
The case was heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi were also included in the bench. The judges said that many petitions have been filed earlier on the same issue and they have been rejected. The Chief Justice asked, ‘Why is this issue being brought before us again and again? After all, how many descendants do he have?
The bench reminded that a similar petition was rejected in 2024 also. On this, Singhvi said that the petition was to raise doubts on Netaji’s death, but this petition is to bring Netaji’s ashes to India from Renkoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan. On this the bench said, ‘Are Netaji’s ashes really there? There has been controversy regarding this also.
Singhvi said that many heads of state of India have visited this temple and paid homage to the ashes of Netaji. On this the Chief Justice said, ‘Netaji is one of the greatest heroes of the country. We salute them but it is important to know how many family members are supporting this demand? Justice Bagchi, member of the bench, said, ‘As far as we know, there is a lot of difference of opinion in the family itself on this subject.’
Singhvi told that Netaji’s only child is his daughter. She supports this petition. On this, the court said that if Netaji’s daughter wants to bring the ashes to India, then she herself should come forward as a petitioner. If she files a petition directly, then some legal action can be considered.
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