‘Shift doctor’s mortal remains to Kilpauk cemetery’

Anandhi Simon appeals to CM to honour husband’s ‘last wishes’

23/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

No-go area: A locality near Anna Nagar West has been declared a containment zone. K. Pichumani

The family of neurosurgeon Simon Hercules, who died of COVID-19 on Sunday and was buried in Velangadu amid chaos, has appealed to the Chief Minister that his mortal remains be shifted to the cemetery in Kilpauk, as per his last wish.

On Sunday evening, the Chennai Corporation had made arrangements at its burial ground near Kilpauk. However, as residents took to the road, objecting to the burial, they decided to bury him at Velangadu which has a crematorium with limited space for burials.

But a mob attacked Corporation staff and colleagues of the doctor, in Velangadu, opposing the burial. The body was later buried with police protection.

In a video message, the doctor’s wife, Anandhi Simon, said that it was his last wish to be buried at the Kilpauk cemetery.

“We had obtained permission to bury him at the Kilpauk cemetery, but he was buried in Velangadu due to a few incidents. We could not witness his burial. He has been buried in a sealed casket and this can be shifted to the Kilpauk cemetery. It will not create any trouble for anyone,” she said.

She added that he spoke to them before he was put on ventilatory support. “It was his last wish to be buried as per our rituals. Please fulfil his last wish,” she appealed to the Chief Minister.

CM speaks to Anandhi

On Wednesday forenoon, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami spoke to Ms. Anandhi Simon over the phone and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family. In his tweet about his phone call with her, @CMOTamilNadu said he requested her to remain strong considering the future of her son and daughter.

Stalin’s call

DMK president M.K. Stalin spoke to Ms. Anandhi and expressed his condolences. He also spoke to journalist who had tested positive for the virus.

The Tamil Nadu Engineers' Federation (TNEF) has condemned the attack on persons who had accompanied the mortal remains of Dr. Simon to the burial ground on Sunday.

In a statement, president of the TNEF S.Ananth said that two engineers belonging to the Greater Chennai Corporation had sustained injuries when they were on duty and are currently undergoing treatment for the same.

They welcomed the immediate action taken by the Tamil Nadu government against the perpetrators.