The High Court in Ba, in a landmark ruling, has granted members of the Vatulaulau community access to the Vatulaulau Hindu Shamshanbhoomi Cemetery for the purpose of conducting funeral rites and burials.
The order was sought through an ex-parte notice of motion filed in the ongoing civil matter involving trustees and members of the Vatulaulau Hindu Cemetery Trust.
The application requested access to the cemetery for the funeral of the late Arun Kumar, a bona fide member of the Vatulaulau community, which was scheduled for the 8th of May 2026.
The family was not granted access to the cemetery, following which the matter was taken to court.
The application also sought orders preventing the named plaintiffs, their servants or agents from obstructing, interfering with, or preventing access to the cemetery.
The court further directed that the Officer-in-Charge of the nearest police station may provide assistance, if required, to ensure compliance with the order and maintain peace.
