Woman moves High Court for husband’s remains for last rites:Body unrecovered 58 days after mine accident; NDRF, Army fail in rescue efforts; HC seeks response within 4 weeks

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notices to the DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety), Shahdol Collector, SECL, RKTC Company, and Dhanpuri Police Station in connection with the death of an SECL employee who went missing in a mining accident on October 11. Hearing a petition filed by the deceased employee’s wife, Aarti Kushwaha, a bench of Justice Vishal Mishra directed the authorities and the company to submit their responses within four weeks. Aarti Kushwaha approached the High Court seeking the recovery of her husband’s body, who drowned 58 days ago in a South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) mine. She has also demanded action against the supervisors and safety officers allegedly responsible for the incident. Drowning incident at mine on October 11 The incident occurred on 11 October 2025 at SECL’s Sohagpur area. Anil Kushwaha, a tripper driver employed on contract with RKTC Private Company and a resident of Mauganj in Rewa district, was sent to work in a mine that had been closed for 15 years. After heavy rains, the soil collapsed, submerging him and his tripper in deep water. Rescue efforts by NDRF and Army prove unsuccessful Following the accident, the administration sought assistance from NDRF personnel from Varanasi and the Army from Jabalpur. 94 NDRF personnel conducted search operations for four days, but only the tripper, located at a depth of 84 feet, was recovered. The Army declined to continue the rescue due to the extreme depth and risk. Despite the absence of the body, a death certificate was issued with the family’s consent, and compensation of Rs 25 lakh was approved to be provided by SECL or the contracting company. To date, the body or skeletal remains of Anil Kushwaha have not been recovered. Allegations by wife: Husband sent to 15-year-old closed mine Aarti Kushwaha alleges that her husband was forced to work in a mine that had been closed for 15 years and should have had a closure report under the Mines Act. Advocate Manoj Kushwaha told the court that no safety arrangements were made, and the company pressured employees to meet targets. Demand for remains for last rites In her petition, Aarti Kushwaha stated that the company had promised to deliver the body within 60 days. However, neither the body nor skeletal remains have been recovered. She has requested that at least some remains be handed over for Hindu last rites.