New Delhi, August 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Centre’s response on a petition seeking the return to India of the mortal remains of freedom fighter and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose from Japan.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notices to the Union government, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs on the petition filed by Bose’s daughter, Anita B. Pfaff.
Senior advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Pfaff before the Bench. The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 28.
The petition seeks directions to the Centre to bring back the mortal remains preserved at Tokyo’s Renkoji Temple, where ashes believed to be those of Bose have been kept for decades.
Pfaff, described in the plea as Bose’s daughter and legal heir, has sought appropriate directions for the return of the remains to India, where she wishes to perform his last rites.
The latest proceedings follow a similar plea that came before the Supreme Court earlier this year. In March, the CJI-led Bench had expressed its reluctance to entertain a petition filed by Bose’s grandnephew, Ashish Ray.
Singhvi, who had appeared for Ray at the time, sought permission to withdraw that petition and informed the court that Bose’s daughter would approach the Supreme Court directly.
During that hearing, Singhvi had submitted that Pfaff was Bose’s only legal heir and supported the demand for bringing back his mortal remains. The court, however, noted that she was not the petitioner and observed that the legal heir herself should approach the court if she wished to pursue the matter.
The Bench had also said it respected the sentiments of Bose’s family but emphasised that the legal proceedings should be initiated by the concerned heir.
The fresh petition alleges that the Union government has failed to bring back Bose’s mortal remains from Renkoji Temple and seeks judicial directions for their return to India.
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