Centre tells SC: Law on passive euthanasia soon

Passive euthanasia is a condition where there is withdrawal of medical treatment with the intention to hasten the death of a terminally illpatient.

The Centre on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that it would come out with a legislation to allow passive euthanasia to provide for ways and means to end one’s life if someone is in a vegetative state with no chance of bringing them back to life.

Additional solicitor general P.S. Narasimha, appearing for the Centre, told this to a five-judge Constitution Bench, which has taken up for consideration a petition seeking to declare the “right to die” of persons suffering from chronic terminal diseases and likely to go into a permanent vegetative state with dignity as a fundamental right.

The ASG told a bench comprising the Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A.K. Sikri, A.M. Khanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan that the judgment in Aruna Shanbaug case, allowing passive euthanasia has become the law of the land and the government has accepted it.

Subsequently a committee was constituted to go into the issue. The committee considered the draft Bill submitted by the Law Commission and the revised Bill has been sent to the government for consideration. The said Bill is to be introduced in the Parliament.

The ASG said the Bill would have safeguards to prevent its misuse.