The High Court has issued a rule questioning why no action should be taken against the theft of corpses and skeletons from graveyards and why no legislation should be enacted for the protection of corpses.

A bench of the High Court, comprising Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah, issued the rule on Tuesday.

The defendants in the case have been given four weeks to respond to the ruling.

Lawyer Golam Rahman represented the writ in the court.

On March 14, a writ petition was filed seeking directives for legislation to safeguard graves and prevent the theft of skeletons nationwide.

The petitioner requested legal action against individuals involved in the theft of dead bodies and skeletons, as well as compensation for the families of those whose bodies and skeletons have been stolen.

Golam Rahman, Chairman of the Human Rights and Social Development Organization, filed the writ.

He noted the absence of legislation in Bangladesh to prevent the theft of corpses and skeletons, highlighting that many countries around the world have laws addressing this issue.

Numerous reports in national newspapers have detailed incidents of corpse and skeleton theft, with hundreds of cases reported where bodies and skeletons have been stolen and sold, including to hospitals and clinics.