Section 4. Unclaimed dead bodies in hospitals, prisons and public places how to be dealt with.

(1) If a person dies in a hospital or in a prison and his body is not claimed by any of his near relatives in hospitals, within such time as may be prescribed, the authority in-charge of such hospital or prison shall, with the least practicable delay, report the fact to the authorised officer, and the said officer shall take possession of the unclaimed body and except in the case referred to in sub-section (3), hand it over to the authority in-charge of a teaching medical institution. if it is required by that authority for the purpose of conducting pathological or anatomical examination and dissection 1[or for the therapeutic purposes]. (2) If a person dies in any public place in an area in which he had no permanent place of residence and the body of that person is not claimed by any of his near relatives within such time as may be prescribed the authorised officer shall take possession of the unclaimed body and except in the case referred to in sub-section (3) hand it over to the authority in-charge of a teaching medical institution, if it is required by that authority, for the purpose specified in sub-section (1). (3) When there is any doubt regarding the cause of death or when for any reason the authorised officer considers it expedient so to do shall forward the unclaimed body to a police officer referred to in section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. (4) Where any unclaimed body taken possession of by the authorised officer under this section is not required by the authority in charge of a teaching medical institution for the purpose specified in sub-section (1), it shall be disposed of in such manner as may be prescribed.