Supreme Court of India | Photo credit: PTI
India’s Supreme Court on Thursday (March 12, 2026) allowed Ashis Ray, a senior journalist and grand nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, to withdraw his petition seeking the repatriation or facilitation of the return of the remains of the freedom fighter and founder of the Indian National Army from a temple in Tokyo.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi told senior advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for Mr. Ray, that he would prefer Netaji’s sole heir and daughter Anita Bose Pfaff to directly approach him with the prayer.
“I am indebted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for kindly hearing my request for directions to transport the mortal remains of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose from Tokyo to India. I respect the view of the court that it would prefer a direct request from Netaji’s daughter and sole heir Professor Anita Bose Pfaff in this matter.” Accordingly, I will request that the court judge Professor Bose via live video of Pfaff. Mr Ray said in a statement later in the day.
The petition highlighted the Union Government’s “prolonged failure to take a final, reasoned and time-bound decision to repatriate (or at least facilitate repatriation) to India the mortal remains enshrined at the Renko-Ji Temple in Tokyo”.
“So that Netaji’s daughter can be given the last rites with dignity and finality in India,” the petition submitted.
She drew attention to Ms Pfaff’s consistent public pleas for Netaji’s mortal remains to be transported to India.
Netaji is believed to have died in a plane crash in Taihoku (Taipei) en route from Singapore after the Japanese surrendered to the Allied Powers in 1945. His remains were flown to Tokyo in early September 1945.
His remains have been at the Renko-Ji temple for more than 80 years – enshrined and worshiped by successive chief priests – representing a continuing state of “posthumous exile” and non-closure for Netaji’s family, the petition said.
Published – 12 March 2026 22:06 IST
