Noting that "for Parsi Zoroastrians, the disposal of the dead in the towers of silence (wherever located) is a religiously mandated obligation and duty,” the Supreme Court (SC) of India in consultation with the community and the government has prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for consigning Covid afflicted corpses to the dakhmas.
The procedures outlined by the SC state the corpses will be handled only by vaccinated pallbearers clothed in PPE (personal protection equipment) suits with gloves, face shields and N-95 masks.
"Neither relatives nor friends are permitted nor will be permitted to touch the dead body… It will be ensured......