UK-LD PYRE 2LST

"However, I honestly do not believe natural cremation
grounds would offend public decency - as long as they were
discreet, designated sites far from urban and residential
areas," Ghai said.

In 2006, the Newcastle City Council had forbidden him
from organising Hindu-style cremation. Ghai is the founder of
the Anglo-Asian Friendship Society (AAFS) based in Newcastle.
However, the Court of Appeal today ruled that the
pyre would be lawful after Ghai said it could include walls
and a roof with an opening.
The Court of Appeal understood my request was
consistent with both the spirit and letter of the law and my
only regret is that tax payers' money would have been saved
had that been recognised in 2006.
Ghai added: "My request was often misinterpreted,
leading many to believe I wanted a funeral pyre cremation in
an open field, whereas I always accepted that buildings and
permanent structures would be appropriate."
The campaign was sparked by the unique case of an
illegal Indian immigrant, who drowned in a canal in Southall,
west London, in December 2005.
Nobody came forward to identify him or report him
missing. After six months of forensic analysis, the
Metropolitan Police retrieved a number from his water-damaged
mobile phone. A call to the number was answered by Ghai. PTI
PS
SDE


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