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Dispute over burial: Shariah court jumps the gun

Kuala Lumpur: In a rude shock to a Hindu family which moved the court to stop Malaysia’s Islamic authorities from burying a relative claiming that he was converted, a Shariah court on Sunday ruled that the deceased was a Muslim.

The family of Elangesvaran Benedict, 34, wanted to cremate the deceased according to Hindu rites, saying it was not aware of his reported conversion to Islam.

The matter was to be decided at the High Court in Georgetown in Penang State but the religious authorities jumped the gun and obtained a declaration from the Shariah court in the morning.

The Shariah court declared that the deceased was a Muslim, hours before the High Court was to hear the case, The New Straits Times said.

Lawyers Karpal Singh and R.S.N. Rayer, who represented Elangesvaran’s family, expressed outrage over the “underhanded manner” in which the case was handled.

A stay has been granted prohibiting anyone from removing the body.

The matter will be heard at the same court on Monday. — PTI

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