NewzVille Desk
The Supreme Court has passed its first-ever order, allowing passive euthanasia, recognising the fundamental right to die with dignity. A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan yesterday allowed the withdrawal of life support for a 32-year-old man who has remained in an irreversible, permanent vegetative state for the past 13 years after falling from a building.
The bench passed the order on a miscellaneous application of the father seeking to remove all life-sustaining treatment from his son.
Medical reports show that his medical condition has not improved in the past 13 years, the bench noted.
The Court noted that the continuation of treatment merely prolonged his biological existence without any therapeutic improvement.
The court noted that the patients’ parents, the primary and secondary medical boards, have reached the opinion that the CAN administered to the patient should be discontinued, as it was not in the best interest of the patient.
The court stated that when primary and secondary boards have certified withdrawal of life support, there is no need for the court’s intervention. The Court stated that withdrawal of life support must be done in a dignified manner.
