Madras High Court Denies Permission For Slain BSP Leader's Burial In Party Office: Here's Why

The Madras High Court held a special session on 7 July to hear a writ petition seeking permission to bury the body of murdered Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu unit president K Armstrong within the party office premises in Perambur, Chennai, and erect a tomb there.

The judge noted that it might not be feasible to allow the burial at the party office premises since it was situated in a residential area with a narrow approach road.

Justice V Bhavani Subbaroyan heard the petition filed by Armstrong’s wife, A Porkodi, 50, and suggested that the body could be temporarily buried in one of three alternative locations proposed by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) before being moved to a more suitable site.

Additionally, the party office land measured only about 2,400 square feet, with a superstructure already in place.

However, the AAG stated that the state government had identified three alternative locations for the burial, one of which was a 2,000-square-foot plot just 1.5 km from the desired burial site.

Agreeing with the AAG’s points, the judge advised the petitioner to accept the government’s proposal and temporarily bury Armstrong’s body at one of the alternative locations. The body could later be relocated to a better site with proper access roads after purchasing suitable property.

The judge also emphasised that since many of Armstrong’s followers might gather to pay their respects, it was essential to avoid any risk of a stampede, similar to the Hathras incident. Therefore, it was prudent to bury the body in a proper location. She granted the petitioner’s counsel time until noon to seek instructions.

Armstrong, the BSP state leader, was hacked to death by an armed gang in Chennai on Friday night.