Kerala High Court Orally Orders For Preservation Of CP(I)M Leader MM Lawrence's Mortal Remains Till Thursday

The Court made the observations in the petition moved by Asha Lawrence, daughter, who has approached the Court aggrieved by the order of the Principal of the Ernakulam Government Medical College hospital for rejecting her objections to conduct the funeral as per Christian rites and rituals.

Justice V G Arun ordered that the matter has to be heard in detail and posted it to Thursday. The Court has also sought instructions from the State Government whether an authority superior to the Principal can consider the objections of the petitioner.

“In the meanwhile, learned State Attorney shall get instructions as to when an authority superior to the officer who passed the impugned order can be directed to decide the issue.”

Meanwhile, the Court orally ordered that the body of the veteran leader would be preserved in the Medical College.

The petitioner submitted that the hearing conducted by the Principal was vitiated and contrary to the principles of natural justice. It was submitted that despite her request, the hearing of the parties was conducted separately and not together. It was also submitted that the Principal illegally constituted a committee for conducting the hearing without seeking permission from the Court.

The petitioner further submitted before the Court that the affidavit filed by the other sibling to donate the body was subsequently withdrawn and this factor was not considered by the Principal.

The plea has been moved by Advocates Krishna Raj, R Pratheesh (Aranmula), E S Soni, Sreeraja V, Laxmi Priyaa N P

Case Number: WP(C) 34174/2024

Case Title: Asha Lawrence v State of Kerala & Others