Kerala High Court Closes Plea Filed By Gopan Swami's Family Against Exhumation Of His Body From Samadhi Site

His family had approached the High Court against the order of the District Administration, permitting the exhumation of the body.

Today, when the matter was taken up, Justice C.S.Dias noted that the body has been exhumed as per the District Collector's order.

“The writ petition is filed to quash Ext. P5 order passed by the second respondent. When the writ petition came for consideration on 15.01.2025, this Court declined to pass any interim order. Subsequent to it, second respondent enforced Ext P5 order. As the said order has already been enforced, I am of the view that nothing further survives in this writ petition. Accordingly, this writ petition is closed," the Court ordered.

Gopan Swami resided with his family in Thiruvanathapuram. The plea stated that he practiced sainthood and established an Ashram and constructed a Temple in his property during his worldly life.

It was reported that the family buried his body, believing that he attained Samadhi as per his wishes. Based on the information given by the neighbours, the Police started an investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and registered an FIR. The District Administration later ordered exhumation of his body for proper probe, challenging which, the writ petition was filed.

Last week, the High Court refused to stay the Collector's order, expressing suspicion regarding his death. Court had enquired how the man died and whether the family had obtained his death certificate.

The plea was moved by Advocates Nirmal V Nair, M Aneesh

Case Title: Sulochana T and Others v District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram and Others

Case Number: WPC 1771/2025

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 55