SC Seeks Centre’s Response on Plea for Medical Board for allowing passive euthanasia

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the central government, seeking its response to a plea requesting the formation of a medical board to determine whether a man in a permanent vegetative state can be allowed passive euthanasia. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, asked the Centre to reply to the petition, which was filed by the parents of the patient.

The man, who suffered a severe head injury in 2013 while pursuing a B.Tech degree at Punjab University, has been in a vegetative state for over 11 years due to diffuse axonal injury, leading to unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and quadriplegia. The plea highlights that the man’s condition shows no signs of improvement, despite extensive medical care, and that his family has exhausted all treatment options.

The petitioners, represented by advocates Manish Jain and Jugul Kishor Gupta, argue that the patient’s condition, marked by 100% disability, has rendered him entirely dependent on his aging parents, who are struggling to care for him. The patient’s mother, who is his primary caregiver, is finding it increasingly difficult to manage his needs as she herself grows older.

The petition details the family’s financial and emotional distress, noting that the patient’s condition has led to severe bedsores, recurring infections, and ongoing suffering. It further states that several medical experts have confirmed that there is no possibility of recovery.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had declined a similar plea by the patient’s parents, who had sought the formation of a medical board to evaluate his eligibility for passive euthanasia. The petitioners have now moved the Supreme Court, seeking relief and a humane resolution to their ordeal.

The case will be heard further on August 27, 2024.

years, and has developed deep and large bed sores, which have caused further infection.
The petitioner’s family has lost all hope for his recovery and is not in a position to take care of the petitioner as they are getting old.