Apex court to examine mercy killing plea
By IANSMonday, January 24, 2011
NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Monday said it would examine whether the right to live granted under Article 21 of the Constitution allows for passive euthanasia (mercy killing). The apex court was hearing a petition seeking mercy killing of a patient who is in coma since the last 36 years.
The apex court bench of Justices Markandey Katju and Gyan Sudha Misra said there was no law in the country that permits mercy killing and it could not involve itself in judicial murder.
It appointed a three-doctor independent team to examine the patient and report back to the court.
The court said it will take a final call after receiving the report from the doctors.
The court appointed senior counsel T.R. Andhyarujina as amicus curiae to assist the court and issued notice to Attorney General G. Vahanvati on the plea of mercy killing by the petitioner.
