The recent verdict of Karnataka High Court came as a shocker. The Court mandated that the state Government must ensure that all the mortuaries across the state must have CCTV cameras installed, regardless of them being under private or Government holding. It was passed to ensure that the dignity of the dead was maintained, especially that of females. The reason it came as a shock was, are women not safe even after death?
Necrophilia refers to sexual attraction or engagement with corpses. It is considered a paraphilia, which is a sexual deviation or abnormality. This practise is declared illegal in many countries like Canada and UK due to ethical, moral and public health reasons. Yet, we till date find instances were necrophilia is still practised. And that is the very reason why the Karnataka High Court had to order the installation of CCTV cameras in all the morgues.
The issue came to limelight after a case had been filed against the man for murdering and engaging with sexual intercourse with the dead body. But, it is quite unclear if the offence comes under Section 375 or 377 of Indian Penal Code, because it is understood by the reading that the dead body cannot be called as human or person. Therefore, neither of the sections can be applied. Although there have been cases related to necrophilia, the Indian Judicial System has provided no adequate measures against it.
In a country wherein Goddesses are worshipped and women are considered to be their divine form, crimes against them is only growing, dead or live. How far will this go? And when will the system take action against it? Do the dead have no dignity? For many of us these may seem some silly, everyday questions, but that does not lessen the gravity of the issue. And this time around you can’t even go around victim blaming. For they did not present themselves promiscuously.
These incidents don’t stop at common women. It is widely known that the Hollywood diva, Marilyn Monroe too was the victim of necrophilia. But where has this information led us? Her perpetrators were never caught and the men who clicked her photo at the morgue still roamed free. The crypt next to her is occupied by none other than the Playboy owner Hugh Hefner, who brought it to be buried next to the “ultimate blonde”. Even after the death, a woman is never seen as another human, but only as a tool to satisfy a man’s needs.
These incidents only prove the point that the perpetuators are the only ones to be blamed. No victim asks to be harassed or raped. Dead or alive woman are still the victims and it’s high time that the Indian Judicial System takes note of this and frames laws that protect the dignity of the dead.