VIDEO: TAMIL NADU DOCTOR SIMON'S WIFE PLEADS TO CM PALANISWAMI FOR HUSBAND'S 'LAST WISH'

Days after a Chennai-based neurosurgeon, who died after being infected with coronavirus, the wife of Dr. Simon Hercules, appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, for a decent burial for her husband's body at another cemetery, saying "it was his last wish". The hospital authorities and family hurriedly burried the body due to opposition from residents in the locality. 

Earlier in the week, Dr Hercules, 55, who got infected with COVID-19 reportedly from his patients, was denied a proper burial after a mob attacked the ambulance and the members in it, who were on their way to a cemetery in the city. The protesters alleged that the dead body would spread the infection. After hours of wait and coax, Dr. Simon's colleague, an orthopaedic and arthroscopy surgeon burried the body with a shovel in the middle of the night on April 19. 

Meanwhile, in the video message, wife of Dr. Simon, Anandi Simon made an emotional appeal to Palaniswami saying, "My husband died due to COVID-19. In his last wish, he said if he doesn't survive the disease, he should be buried according to our customs. The Chief Minister is working well in containing coronavirus that's why, there are only a few deaths in Tamil Nadu." 

"My husband is buried in a sealed cover. His body should be taken again and buried at the Kilpauk cemetery and by doing so, it will not spread the virus. I am now a widow with two children. I request the Chief Minister to fulfil the last wish of my husband," Ms Simon said in the video.

Currently, the Simon family also requested that the doctor's body be exhumed from a Chennai corporation-run cemetery and transferred to Christian cemetery in Kilpauk area.

As per a PuthiyaThalaimurai report, after the video went viral, Chief Minister Palaniswami today reached out to the family over the phone and expressed his condolence. He also requested Dr. Simon's wife to stay strong considering the future of her children.

Meanwhile, Bishop George Antony has granted permission to bury doctor Simon corpse in Kilpauk Cemetery. 

After this incident drew anger on social media, the Chennai Police have arrested 21 people in this matter and registered a case of rioting among other charges after attacking the ambulance. 

Anandi Simon, wife of #DrSimonHercules appeals to @CMOTamilNadu to give her husband a decent burial after authorities had to hurriedly finished the job due to opposition from residents. She said it was his last wish to be laid to rest in Kilpauk cemetery.#coronavirus #chennai pic.twitter.com/KwYUKG8q8t

— Smitha T K (@smitha_tk) April 22, 2020