Guwahati, July 10 -- Written by Manoj Kumar Ojha

Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet has approved a new policy banning all hospitals and nursing homes in the state from withholding dead bodies over unpaid medical bills.

The decision, announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, will come into effect from August 1, 2025.

Addressing reporters in Guwahati, Sarma said that detaining bodies for pending dues is a violation of human dignity and has no legal standing. "Dead bodies cannot be kept hostage. This is against human dignity. Hospitals have no right to hold the body due to pending dues," he said.

The move follows repeated complaints from families who alleged that private hospitals refused to release bodies unless full paymen...