A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has dismissed an appeal by Asha Lawrence and Sujatha Boban, the daughters of the late CPI(M) leader M.M. Lawrence. This decision, announced on December 18, 2024, follows a prior single judge’s order to transfer their father’s body to the Ernakulam Government Medical College.
The Bench, which included Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S. Manu, emphasized earlier this month that the family should resolve the matter amicably, rather than through court intervention.
The appeal arose from a previous order allowing the siblings’ brother, M.L. Sajeevan, to donate their father’s body to the medical college. The daughters argued for a proper burial according to Christian rites.
A court-appointed mediator confirmed that attempts to settle the dispute between the sisters and their brother were unsuccessful, as both parties remained firm in their positions. A prior ruling directed the Principal of the medical college to review Asha Lawrence’s objections. After consideration, the Principal rejected the objections, permitting the body’s use for educational purposes, a decision upheld by the Single Bench.
Following these developments, Asha Lawrence filed a second petition, which was also dismissed. In a subsequent turn, Sujatha Boban joined her sister’s appeal, indicating their father’s wish to be buried in the church cemetery.
Published – December 18, 2024, 11:59 am IST
