Section 5. Power of State Government to authorize officers to act under section 4

(I) The authorized officer shall, subject to the provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3), in the case of an unclaimed dead body of person dying : (a) in a hospital or a prison ; or (b) in a public place, not being his place of residence ; or (c) after having dedicated in writing his dead body for the purpose of anatomical examination and dissection ; take possession of the unclaimed dead body and hand it over to a medical institution, requiring it for anatomical examination or dissection or both : Provided that in cases failing under clause (a) or (b) the authorized officer shall where a relative is known to be alive but has for reason beyond his control failed to claim the body within the prescribed period, hand over the body to such religious or public institutions belonging to the religion of the deceased as may be prescribed. (2) The unclaimed dead body of a person who has prior to his death declared that his dead body shall not be subject to anatomical examination or dissection or both, shall be handed over by the authorized officer to such religious or public institution belonging to the religion of the deceased as may be prescribed. (3) The authorized officer shall -- (a) in case of doubt as to the cause of death of the deceased and in any other case where in his opinion it is expedient so to do dispose of the unclaimed dead body in the manner provided therefor, in section 104 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 ; (b) in the case where the unclaimed dead body is not required by the authority incharge of a medical institution for anatomical examination or dissection or both, dispose it of in such manner as may be prescribed.