<h1>Living person mistaken for dead leads to crematorium near-disposal, potential negligence and criminal liability under IPC 304A</h1> An elderly woman presumed dead was transported to a public crematorium in Puri for final rites but was discovered alive by staff when the family could not produce a death certificate; she was subsequently hospitalized in critical condition with preserved cardiac and renal function but impaired brain response. Legally, the incident raises issues of wrongful death declaration, potential criminal liability for premature handling or disposal of a living person, and civil claims for negligence against caregivers or medical attendants who failed to verify death. The crematorium's requirement for a death certificate mitigated immediate unlawful disposal but authorities should investigate verification practices and potential regulatory or criminal violations.