Review Petition Filed In Kerala HC Against CPI(M) Veteran MM Lawrence's Body Donation, Cites Retrieved Video Showing His Wish To Be Buried

Asha Lawrence, daughter of CPI(M) veteran M. M. Lawrence has approached the Kerala High Court once again challenging donation of her father's body to Ernakulam Medical College. She is also joined by her sister Suja Boban in the writ petition. It is submitted that they have recently retrieved a video in which their father had stated that his body should be buried in the place where Suja says.The veteran had passed away at the age of 95 on September 21, 2024. He was the District Secretary of CPI(M) and was jailed during the emergency time. In the year 1980, he became Lok Sabha Member from Idukki district in Kerala, and later served as convener of LDF, member of the CPI(M) Central Committee and State and National secretary of Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU). Soon after his death, Asha Lawrence approached the High Court challenging the decision of her siblings and CPI(M) party to hand over his body to Ernakulam Medical College. Initially, when the case came before the Single Judge, the court directed the Medical College to take a decision after considering Asha's objection. However, subsequently another writ was filed challenging the decision of the Medical College to accept the body. The same was dismissed by the Single Judge. An appeal before the Division Bench was also dismissed. Her Special Leave Petition was also dismissed by the Supreme Court.Asha has now filed a review petition before the High Court stating that they got access to a video in which her father expressed his wish to be buried. As per the petition, her father has stated the following in the video:“I want to go to Heaven. I want to see Jesus. I should be buried in the place where Suja says. There should be no deviation from that. I am very particular about that.”(translated from Malayalam)It was stated that Suja, during the hearing conducted by the Medical College, stated that she had taken a video of her father expressing his desire to be buried in Church but that video was missing. It is stated in the instant review petition that she was able to retrieve that video.Asha submitted that the High Court and Supreme Court rejected the earlier petitions saying that she could not produce any evidence to show that the veteran wanted his body to be buried as per Christian rites. She submits that they have newly got access to evidence to prove the contrary and they should be allowed to bury his body as per Christian rites.The petition is moved by Advocates Krishna Raj, R. Pratheesh, E. S. Soni, Sreeraja V., Laxmi Priyaa N. P.Case Title: Asha Lawrence and Another v State of Kerala and OthersCase No: RP 280/ 2023

Review Petition Filed In Kerala HC Against CPI(M) Veteran MM Lawrence's Body Donation, Cites Retrieved Video Showing His Wish To Be Buried

Manju Elsa Isac

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