Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Seeks Centre Reply on Bose Ashes Repatriation Plea
Anita B. Pfaff has asked India’s Supreme Court to help bring remains from a temple in Tokyo to India.
She says the remains belong to her father, Subhas Chandra Bose.
Some reports say Bose’s remains are kept at Renkoji Temple.
However, the identity of the remains is disputed.
Another person also questioned whether Pfaff has been proven to be Bose’s daughter.
The court allowed that person to make submissions.
The court has given the Centre four weeks to respond to Pfaff’s request.
The court had earlier said the heir should bring the matter before it.
Pfaff wants final ceremonies for Bose to be held in India.
The Supreme Court granted the Centre four weeks to respond to Anita B. Pfaff’s plea concerning remains kept at Tokyo’s Renkoji Temple.
Pfaff, who identifies herself as Subhas Chandra Bose’s daughter, seeks the return of the remains to India for final rites.
The court had issued notice to the Centre on August 11.
An intervention applicant disputed that records establish Pfaff is Bose’s daughter and also challenged the basis of her plea.
The court had earlier allowed Bose’s grand nephew to withdraw a similar petition, saying the heir should approach it.
- Who
- Anita B. Pfaff, who identifies herself as Subhas Chandra Bose’s daughter, filed the plea against the Centre.
- What
- The Supreme Court granted the Centre four weeks to respond to a request concerning the return of remains believed to be Bose’s.
- When
- The order was issued on Monday, September 28; the court had issued notice to the Centre on August 11.
- Where
- The remains are reportedly kept at Renkoji Temple in Tokyo, and Pfaff seeks their return to India.
- Why
- Pfaff seeks repatriation of the remains for final rites with dignity and finality.
Repatriation Request
Challenge to Plea
Return of the remains
Repatriation Request
Pfaff seeks the return to India of remains believed to be her father’s for final rites with dignity and finality.
Challenge to Plea
The identity of the remains kept at Renkoji Temple has been disputed, so their return is not established as a settled matter.
Pfaff’s relationship to Bose
Repatriation Request
Pfaff’s counsel says she has consistently and publicly sought repatriation as Bose’s daughter and heir.
Challenge to Plea
The intervention applicant argues that the record does not establish that Pfaff is Bose’s daughter.
Participation in the case
Repatriation Request
Pfaff’s counsel opposed the intervention application in the ongoing proceedings.
Challenge to Plea
The Chief Justice said the bench could not prevent the applicant from making submissions.
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Petitioner
- Anita B. Pfaff
- Subject
- Return of remains believed to be Subhas Chandra Bose’s
- Centre’s deadline
- Four weeks to file its response
- Reported location
- Renkoji Temple, Tokyo
- Earlier petition
- A petition by Bose’s grand nephew was withdrawn after the court declined to entertain it in March
- Key dispute
- The identity of the remains and the evidence supporting Pfaff’s claim to be Bose’s daughter are disputed
