Abstract

India Decides on Euthanasia: Is the Debate Over?

Rateesh Sareen*

Euthanasia is a dilemma due to the presence of more than one course of conduct justified on various grounds. Medical science has devised solutions for battling excruciating pain and agony. The Supreme Court in March 2018 delivered landmark judgment allowing ‘living will’ where, an adult in his conscious mind, is permitted to refuse medical treatment or voluntarily decide not to take medical treatment to embrace death in a natural way. The judgment gave legal recognition to Passive euthanasia in India and robust interpretation of ‘Right to life’ including ‘Right to die’ thereby bringing it within manifold of article-21 of constitution of India. The present paper describes evolution of Euthanasia in India contemporary to Dutch law as well as pros and cones of the landmark judgment in Aruna Shanbaug case.

Published Date: 2019-06-04; Received Date: 2019-03-18