New Delhi, Aug 2026 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Centre’s response to a petition seeking directions for bringing back to India 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, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs on a petition filed by Netaji’s daughter, Anita B. Pfaff.
Senior advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Pfaff before the CJI-led Bench. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 28.
The petition seeks appropriate directions to the Union government to facilitate the return of Netaji’s mortal remains from the Renkoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan, where ashes believed to be those of the freedom fighter have been preserved for decades.
Pfaff, who is Netaji’s daughter and legal heir, has approached the apex court seeking the return of the remains to India. The petition asserts that, as his legal heir, she is entitled to pursue the matter before the Supreme Court and seek appropriate directions from the government.
The latest proceedings assume significance as the Supreme Court had, earlier this year, declined to entertain a similar petition seeking the return of Netaji’s mortal remains from Japan.
In March, a Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant had expressed its reluctance to entertain a petition filed by Ashish Ray, Netaji’s grandnephew. Singhvi, who appeared for Ray, had sought permission to withdraw the petition and informed the court that Netaji’s daughter would approach the Supreme Court with a fresh plea.
During the earlier hearing, Singhvi had submitted that Anita Bose Pfaff was Netaji’s only legal heir and that she supported the request for bringing back the remains preserved at the Renkoji Temple.
The Bench, however, pointed out that the legal heir herself had not approached the court. It observed that if Pfaff wished to pursue the matter, she should directly approach the apex court.
“But the heir is not the petitioner. The heir must come before us. She cannot fight behind the curtains,” the court had remarked.
The Supreme Court had also acknowledged the sentiments of Netaji’s family while making it clear that the appropriate legal process had to be initiated by the person directly concerned.
The fresh petition now places the issue before the court through Pfaff herself, potentially addressing the concern raised during the earlier proceedings regarding the identity and authority of the petitioner.
The petition alleges that the Union government has failed to bring back to India the mortal remains preserved at the Renkoji Temple despite the long-standing demand from sections of Netaji’s family and supporters.
It seeks directions to facilitate the return of the remains so that Pfaff can perform the last rites of her father in India.
The identity and provenance of the ashes kept at Renkoji Temple have remained a subject of historical debate and controversy for decades. The latest petition, however, focuses on the legal and governmental steps required to bring the remains to India.
With the Centre, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs now asked to respond, the Supreme Court is expected to examine the government’s position when the matter comes up for further hearing on September 28.
The case has renewed attention on the long-standing question surrounding Netaji’s mortal remains and the demand for their return to India, nearly eight decades after his reported disappearance in 1945.
