Doctor’s last rites postponed again

Following Sunday’s special sitting by Justice Peter Jamadhar in the San Fernando High Court, Enal and Maharajh’s relatives returned to court yesterday to finalise the consent order. However, the attorney for Maharajh’s relatives filed an application in court requesting that Maharajh’s body be buried instead of cremated.

Maharajh was beaten to death by intruders at his home last Wednesday. Enal, his common-law wife of some 20 years, discovered his body in the house at about 1 pm.

Investigators revealed that his hands had been tied with wire, and an autopsy concluded that he had sustained a broken neck and spine.

The court battle between Enal and Maharajh’s relatives began on Friday night, when court marshalls served a High Court injunction to stop the doctor’s cremation, which was fixed for Saturday.

The injunction also restrained relatives from entering or staying at the doctor’s residence at Chacon Street, and/or removing property from it. The injunction also restrained relatives from molesting or assaulting Enal.

On Sunday, in an unusual sitting of the High Court by Jamadhar, Enal and relatives agreed not to interfere with Maharajh’s estate, of which he has named Enal as the executrix.

It was also agreed that relatives would be allowed access to the Chacon Street property for the doctor’s funeral service, which was fixed for tomorrow.

Enal agreed to vacate the premises to facilitate an independent investigation into the murder.

After yesterday’s hearing, the arrangements for the doctor’s funeral tomorrow have been scrapped. Instead, both Enal and relatives will return to court tomorrow to decide if Maharaj’s body will be cremated or buried.

Ernest Koylass, representing Enal, has submitted that a medical expert examine Maharajh’s body and take tissue samples in the event that future testing becomes necessary. However, this was rejected by relatives.