CPI(M) Leader MM Lawrence's Body Donation: Daughter Moves Kerala High Court Challenging Decision Of Medical College Principal
Tellmy Jolly
27 Sept 2024 5:45 PM IST
Asha Lawrence, daughter of veteran CPI(M) leader MM Lawrence has approached the Kerala High Court again 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.
The petitioner had approached the High Court challenging the decision of her siblings and the CPI(M) to donate her father's body to the Ernakulam Government Medical College hospital for education purposes. Subsequently, the High Court directed Medical Principal College to consider the objections submitted by the petitioner before taking a decision.
The petitioner submitted that the Medical Principal College, in grave violation of the order of the High Court, constituted another committee for hearing the petitioner. The petitioner alleges that Medical College Principal is the authority under the Kerala Anatomy Act to take a decision and submitted that he had no power to constitute another committee to conduct the hearing.
It is also alleged that the Principal refused to even conduct a proper hearing and was reluctant to accept her written submission initially. It is submitted that he accepted the written submission with much difficulty and did not conduct a proper hearing.
It is submitted that the Principal heard the petitioner and her siblings separately, despite her request to have a joint hearing involving all the parties. It is submitted that the petitioner was unaware of the contentions made by her siblings, which is contrary to the principles of natural justice.
The petitioner further claims that her siblings have framed a new story stating that her father consented to donate his body before four witnesses. The petitioner stated that they have not made such a claim in the earlier writ petition filed before the High Court. The petitioner states that the Principal has decided to permit donation of her father's body based on this incorrect submission of her siblings.
The petitioner thus prays that her father's body be handed over to her for conducting the burial rituals as per the Christian faith by quashing the order issued 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
