'It was his last wish': Wife of doctor who died to COVID-19, appeals for decent burial

Anandi Simon made a teary-eyed appeal in a video message and said: "My husband died due to COVID-19. In his last will, he said if 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."

Requesting the Chief Minister to exhume and transfer the body of Dr Simon Hercules for reburial as per their customs at the Kilpauk cemetery, she said, "My husband is buried in a sealed cover, it should be taken again and bury him at Kilpauk cemetery and doing so will not spread the virus. I am now a widow with two children. I request CM to fulfil the last will of my husband."

Hercules died on Sunday night after battling the coronavirus. Locals had denied burying Hercules's body at the cemetery. Locals protested against the burial of Simon's body as he died due to COVID-19. 

Later, Simon's body was buried in a sealed cover at another cemetery.