India, July 10 -- The Assam cabinet on Thursday approved action against private hospitals including fines and suspension of license in the state if they hold back bodies of deceased patients over non-payment of dues by family members.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the decision was initiated following complaints that some private hospitals hold the bodies as 'hostage' till family members pay the charges incurred on their treatment. The move will be implemented from August 1.

"Today the Assam cabinet has taken a very important decision. Often we hear complaints that various nursing homes have kept the body of a deceased as mortgage for 3-4 days unless the relatives pay the pending dues. This is against human dignity. You c...