The Supreme Court has issued its first-ever order, permitting passive euthanasia, recognizing the fundamental right to die with dignity. A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan yesterday allowed the withdrawal of life support for a 32-year-old man who has been 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 filed by 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 observed that continuing treatment only prolonged his biological existence without any therapeutic benefit. The court noted that the patient's parents and the primary and secondary medical boards have reached the opinion that the treatment administered to the patient should be discontinued, as it was not in the best interest of the patient. The court stated that when both the primary and secondary boards have certified the withdrawal of life support, there is no need for the court's intervention. The Court stated that the withdrawal of life support must be done in a dignified manner.
