Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Seeks Centre Response on Netaji Daughter's Ashes Plea
Long ago, in 1945, a famous Indian leader named Netaji Bose disappeared after a plane crash.
Many people believe his remains were kept safe in a temple in Tokyo, Japan, called the Renkoji temple.
Netaji's daughter, Anita, who now lives in Europe, wants his remains brought back to India.
She asked India's Supreme Court, a very important court, to help her.
Anita wants to give her father a proper goodbye with final ceremonies in India.
The judges listened to her request and asked the Indian government to give an answer.
The government now has to respond to the court, and the case will keep moving.
Years earlier, another family member had asked for the same thing, but the judges said Anita should come forward herself.
Now that she has, the court is helping her, even though the matter has taken a very long time.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on a plea by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's daughter Anita B Pfaff seeking the return of his 'ashes' from Tokyo's Renkoji temple.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana sought responses from the Union Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs.
Pfaff, Netaji's only child and sole living direct heir, wants the remains repatriated to India so she can perform his final rites and end what she calls his 'posthumous exile'.
The plea alleges a prolonged failure by the government to take a final, reasoned and time-bound decision on the repatriation of the remains.
In March 2026, the court declined to entertain a similar plea by Netaji's grand-nephew Ashis Ray, saying the direct heir should approach the court herself.
Pfaff has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue and has repeatedly urged the Indian government to facilitate the return of the remains.
- Who
- Anita B Pfaff (Anita Bose Pfaff), daughter and sole living direct heir of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi; the Supreme Court bench comprised Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
- What
- The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on a plea seeking directions for the return of Netaji's 'ashes' from Tokyo's Renkoji temple to India.
- When
- Tuesday, August 11.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India in New Delhi; the ashes are preserved at Renkoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan.
- Why
- Pfaff wants the remains repatriated so she can perform her father's final rites in India and end his 'posthumous exile'; the plea alleges prolonged government inaction on a final decision.
Return of the Ashes
Skepticism and Verification
Netaji's death in 1945
Return of the Ashes
Several official inquiries support the theory that Bose died in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945.
Skepticism and Verification
Theories that he survived the crash or lived elsewhere have continued to circulate for decades.
Authenticity of the Renkoji ashes
Return of the Ashes
Pfaff, as Netaji's only child and sole living direct heir, accepts the remains as her father's and wants them returned to India for final rites.
Skepticism and Verification
Some family members and groups question the authenticity of the ashes and have called for scientific verification, including DNA testing.
- Petitioner
- Anita B Pfaff (Anita Bose Pfaff), daughter of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
- Notice issued to
- Centre; Union Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs
- Petitioner's counsel
- Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi
- Location of remains
- Renkoji Temple, Tokyo, Japan (preserved there since September 1945)
- Background
- Netaji reportedly died in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945
- Prior development
- Supreme Court declined grand-nephew Ashis Ray's similar petition in March 2026
Sources
SC to hear plea by Netaji's daughter seeking return of his 'ashes' from Tokyo
Supreme Court Issues Notice To Centre On Plea By Netaji's Daughter For Return Of His Ashes From Japan
SC to Hear Netaji Bose’s Daughter’s Plea to Bring His Ashes Back From Tokyo
SC agrees to hear plea by Netaji Bose’s daughter seeking return of his ‘ashes’ from Tokyo