Punjab Launches 'Pehchaan' Portal to Identify Unidentified & Unclaimed Deceased Persons

Key facts

• Punjab launched a statewide digital portal named 'Pehchaan' to help identify unidentified and unclaimed deceased persons.
• The portal allows families in India and abroad to search records online and assists authorities in completing the identification process.
• The portal was launched by Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on September 2.
• The portal creates a centralised database containing information about unidentified and unclaimed deceased persons.
• Under the initiative, facial photographs, permanent identification marks such as tattoos, birthmarks, deformities, and physical descriptions will be uploaded to the portal.
• The information is expected to be made available within 48 hours of postmortem examination at a government mortuary.
• Families can submit an online claim if they believe a listed person is their missing relative.
• The concerned investigating officer will receive a notification and proceed with formal identification.
• The system aims to reduce delays in identifying unclaimed bodies and improve coordination between medical institutions, police authorities, and families.