Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Grand-Nephew’s Plea Seeking Repatriation Of Remains Of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday refused to entertain a writ petition filed by Ashish Ray, the grand-nephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, which sought the repatriation of Netaji’s mortal remains to India.

The bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi refused to entertain the plea and questioned the repetitive nature of these filings. The Court noted that similar petitions had already been dismissed.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for the Petitioner.

Chief Justice Surya Kant said, "How many times will this issue come to court? He was one of the greatest leader of our nation, and we all bow down to his supreme sacrifice. But how many family members will come like this?"

Singhvi submitted, "So many Indian prime ministers have paid respects at the temple. The daughter is here on the screen, Ms Anita..."

Singhvi explained that while previous legal battles often debated whether Netaji was still alive, this specific plea focused on the ashes currently preserved at the Renkoji Temple in Japan—a site frequently visited by Indian heads of state.

Justice Bagchi said, "Let the heir come to court and seek this. We respect her sentiments, and we will ensure her sentiments are made into legal action...but let her come to court."

Singhvi informed the court that Netaji’s daughter, his only direct heir, intends to file a new petition in her own name to continue the effort. 

Singhvi noted that Netaji’s daughter was watching the proceedings virtually and was prepared to address the bench, but the Court refused to hear her since she was not a formal party to the case.

Consequently, the petition was dismissed as withdrawn, allowing the daughter the opportunity to file a fresh legal challenge in her own capacity.

Cause Title: Ashis Ray v. Union of India & Ors. [W.P.(C) No. 268/2026]