Supreme Court seeks response on plea to repatriate Subhas Chandra Bose’s ashes from Japan

The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the Central government, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding a petition to repatriate the ashes of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose from Japan.

The plea was filed by Bose’s daughter, Anita Pfaff, who is seeking judicial direction to bring the remains, which are preserved at the Renkoji Temple in Tokyo, back to India. Pfaff argues that the government has failed to reach a final, time-bound decision on the matter and seeks to perform her father's last rites with dignity.

This legal action follows a previous attempt by Bose’s grandnephew to file a similar petition, which was withdrawn after the court noted that the legal heir herself should approach the bench. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 28.