High Court rejects daughter's petition; MM Lawrence's body can be released for study purposes

KOCHI: The High Court has ruled that the body of CPM leader MM Lawrence can be released for study purposes. The High Court Division Bench's order rejected the review petition of his daughter, Asha Lawrence. The petition was dismissed by a bench headed by the Chief Justice.

Asha Lawrence had filed a review petition seeking permission to bury the body of MM Lawrence according to religious rites. Lawrence's daughter had filed a review petition in the High Court challenging the single bench order that her father's body be released to the medical college for medical studies.

Lawrence passed away on September 21, 2024. After Lawrence passed away, his son ML Sajeevan released his father's body for the study of medical students. Lawrence's daughter came forward against this. Lawrence's daughter Asha Lawrence first approached the High Court Single Bench and then the Division Bench, demanding that Lawrence be buried according to religious rites. After the High Court rejected the petition, Asha approached the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the High Court order. Asha then filed a review petition in the High Court along with a voice message from Lawrence that said he wants to go to heaven and meet Jesus and wishes to be buried where his daughter wants.