Passive Euthanasia: Supreme Court Applies Framework First Time
Why in the news
The Supreme Court allowed withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for Harish Rana, the first use of its passive euthanasia guidelines.
Key facts
- Euthanasia: intentional ending of life to relieve suffering (mercy killing).
- Active (for instance lethal injection): illegal.
- Passive (withholding or withdrawing ventilators or feeding tubes): permitted under strict guidelines.
Legal evolution
| Case | Position |
|---|---|
| P. Rathinam (1994) | Right to life includes right to die; suicide effectively decriminalised |
| Gian Kaur | Overturned it; Article 21 excludes right to die but admits dying with dignity |
| Aruna Shanbaug | First allowance of passive euthanasia, with High Court approval |
| Common Cause | Dying with dignity is a fundamental right; Advance Medical Directives legal |
| 2023 guidelines | Judicial Magistrate’s countersignature on living wills dropped |
Exam angle
- Article 21; living will = Advance Medical Directive.