Kerala bids tearful adieu to Justice VR Krishna Iyer

Noted Jurist V R Krishna Iyer, who championed the cause of the downtrodden throughout his life, was today cremated with full state honours after a galaxy of politicians led by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and those from the legal fraternity paying their last respects.

After the customary gun salute by police, Justice Iyer's two sons Ramesh Iyer and Paramesh Iyer performed last rites amidst chanting of vedic hymns. The body was then shifted to the LPG fired crematorium for the final journey. Justice Iyer passed away at a private hospital in Kochi on Thursday. 

Earlier Chandy, his ministerial colleagues K M Mani, K Babu, K P Mohanan, opposition leader in the assembly V S Achutanandan, CPI state secretary Panniyan Ravindran, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church Cardinal George Mar Alenchery were among the thousands of mourners who paid their respects. The body was kept at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium from around 9.30 am to 4.30 pm to enable public to pay homage.

Twenty-five visually challenged students of a blind school from nearby Aluva along with their teachers also came to bid adieu to Iyer. Arbutammal, mother of Perarivalan, an accused in the Rajiv Gandhi murder case, was also in Kochi to pay her respects. Justice Iyer's body was then was shifted to his residence, 'Satgamaya' to enable the family members to perform various rites.

Social activist Swami Agnivesh also attended the funeral. Earlier Kerala assembly had adjourned for the day today after condoling justice Iyer's death. Kerala High Court did not function as a mark of respect. Schools and government offices in Kochi corporation limits also declared a holiday on Friday.