Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia in its landmark decision

In a landmark judgement the country’s apex court has allowed passive euthanasia.However the Supreme Court has also set strict guidelines to be followed when it is permitted. The bench stated that humans have the righ to die with dignity.

More importantly, the SC announced that an individual could draft a ‘living will’ in which he/she can state their willingness to end their life in case they slip into an incurable coma. A per the court’s guidelines, a family member or a friend of the terminally ill person can approach the High Court seeking passive euthanasia following which the court will set up a medical board. The board will then decide if passive euthania can be given to the patient.

The decision was announced by a five-judge Costitution bench comprising of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan.