The authorities of the Government Medical College Hospital, Ernakulam, will hand over the body of Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader M.M. Lawrence to its Department of Anatomy for research and academic purposes.

The Supreme Court had on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by Asha Lawrence, his daughter, challenging the decision of the Kerala High Court, which approved the decision of his son to donate the body to a medical hospital.

The body of the veteran CPI(M) leader, who died here on September 21, 2024 had been preserved at the hospital based on a directive issued by the Kerala High Court.

The Ernakulam Town Hall premises, where the body was kept for the public to pay homage, had witnessed tense scenes on September 23, 2024 after Ms. Asha resisted attempts to take the body to the medical college hospital.

The hospital authorities said on Thursday, January 16, that the body had been embalmed using formalin for long-term preservation. With the Supreme Court rejecting the appeal filed by his daughter, steps would be taken to hand it over for medical education and research.

The apex court’s directive also vindicated the stance taken by the hospital’s advisory committee that voted in favour of handing over the mortal remains for medical education, they said.

The committee had found that Sajeevan, son of M.M. Lawrence, was having the lawful possession of his father after his death. The statements given by the witnesses had also subscribed to the provisions under the Anatomy Act, it stated.