‘It is a person’s right’
7 years ago

‘It is a person’s right’

The Hindu  

PINKI VIRANI’s crusade for a dignified death via passive euthanasia for Aruna Shanbaug, a nurse who had been raped and assaulted so brutally that she remained in persistent vegetative state for 42 years, has finally come to an end. The March 2018 judgment on legalising passive euthanasia, through advance directives and a living will, is considered a historic one. The 2018 judgment upholds the 2011 judgment, since known as the Aruna Shanbaug judgment, which permits passive euthanasia for all irreversibly ill Indians—in PVS, after brain death, or on pointless ventilator. The 2018 judgment by the five-judge Constitution Bench has delivered a virtual PhD on compassion vis-a-vis passive euthanasia, dying with dignity, the right to privacy, patient autonomy through an advance directive, bodily integrity versus meaningless medical body invasion. The 2011 judgment granting passive euthanasia forced into medico-legal reality the term PVS, and medical bodies were able to make a cohesive case against restricted rationing of morphine.

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History of this topic

'Dying with dignity' debate must balance care, choice
1 week, 4 days ago

'Dying with dignity' debate must balance care, choice

India Today  

In recent years, there has been active debate on whether healthcare should be focused on saving lives or the quality of life. This debate has only gathered pace after the Supreme Court, in a historic verdict in 2018, allowed for ‘passive euthanasia’ while recognising the right of patients to make advance directives or ‘living wills’. The India Today Conclave brought …

The right to die with dignity | Need to balance care and choice
2 weeks ago

The right to die with dignity | Need to balance care and choice

India Today  

I n recent years, there has been active debate on whether healthcare should be focused on saving lives or the quality of life. This debate has only gathered pace after the Supreme Court, in a historic verdict in 2018, allowed for ‘passive euthanasia’ while recognising the right of patients to make advance directives or ‘living wills’. The India Today Conclave …

Can India handle legal euthanasia? Experts highlight risks and challenges
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Can India handle legal euthanasia? Experts highlight risks and challenges

India Today  

The debate surrounding the right to die with dignity has gathered pace in India, with legal, ethical, and medical connotations being widely debated. At the India Today Conclave 2025, experts representing a wide range of backgrounds scoured into the nuances of passive and active euthanasia, living wills, and palliative care. Senior Counsel Nisha Bhambhani pointed to the legal ambiguities: "While …

Tirumala laddoo plot turns murkier: Inferior ghee, proxy firms, fake GST slips
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Tirumala laddoo plot turns murkier: Inferior ghee, proxy firms, fake GST slips

India Today  

Karnataka has become the first Indian state to issue orders to implement the Supreme Court’s directive of 2023 regarding a patient’s right to die with dignity. A dignified death is every person’s right: The absence of a Right to Die law can prolong unnecessary suffering for terminally ill patients, forcing them to endure severe pain and loss of dignity. Right …

How Karnataka's 'right to die with dignity' initiative is life-changing
1 month, 2 weeks ago

How Karnataka's 'right to die with dignity' initiative is life-changing

India Today  

Karnataka has become the first Indian state to issue orders to implement the Supreme Court’s directive of 2023 regarding a patient’s right to die with dignity. A dignified death is every person’s right: The absence of a Right to Die law can prolong unnecessary suffering for terminally ill patients, forcing them to endure severe pain and loss of dignity. Right …

85-yr-old woman nears approval to be Karnataka's first right-to-die beneficiary
1 month, 2 weeks ago

85-yr-old woman nears approval to be Karnataka's first right-to-die beneficiary

India Today  

An 85-year-old retired government school teacher, HB Karibasamma, is on the verge of making history as Karnataka’s first beneficiary of the ‘right to die with dignity’ policy. After decades of relentless advocacy, her wish is set to be fulfilled following the state government’s circular issued on January 30, granting terminally ill patients the right to end their suffering legally. She …

What is Karnataka’s ‘historic’ order on ‘right to die with dignity’?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

What is Karnataka’s ‘historic’ order on ‘right to die with dignity’?

Firstpost  

The Karnataka government has called for establishing medical boards in hospitals across the state to ensure the right to die with dignity for terminally ill patients, complying with the Supreme Court’s 2023 order. While ‘passive euthanasia’ is legal in India, the concept of living wills has yet to gain ground Karnataka's order will ensure the right to die with dignity …

Karnataka to implement Supreme Court’s directive for patient’s ‘right to die with dignity’. All you need to know
Trending News
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Karnataka to implement Supreme Court’s directive for patient’s ‘right to die with dignity’. All you need to know

Live Mint  

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday said that the state health department has issued a groundbreaking order to enforce the Supreme Court's ruling on a patient's right to die with dignity. “My Karnataka Health Department, @DHFWKA, passes a historic order to implement the Supreme Court's directive for a patients Right to Die with dignity,” he said. "We have …

Karnataka Implements 'Right-To-Die With Dignity' Policy: What Does It Mean?
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Karnataka Implements 'Right-To-Die With Dignity' Policy: What Does It Mean?

ABP News  

The Karnataka Health Department has officially implemented the Supreme Court’s directive that allows terminally ill patients the right to die with dignity. “This will immensely benefit those who are terminally ill, have no hope of recovery, or are in a persistent vegetative state, where life-sustaining treatment is no longer benefits from life-sustaining treatment,” he said. This will immensely benefit those …

Karnataka enacts SC order on right to die with dignity
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Karnataka enacts SC order on right to die with dignity

Hindustan Times  

The Karnataka health department has issued orders to implement the Supreme Court’s 2023 directive regarding a patient’s right to die with dignity, becoming the first state to do so. Karnataka enacts SC order on right to die with dignity In orders issued on Thursday, the health department appointed medical experts to the secondary medical board to decide when life-sustaining treatment …

In historic move, Karnataka allows dignified death for the terminally ill
Top News
1 month, 4 weeks ago

In historic move, Karnataka allows dignified death for the terminally ill

The Hindu  

In a historic move, the Karnataka Health Department, on January 30, 2025, issued an order to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing terminally ill patients to die with dignity. “To enable a dignified death, the Supreme Court has held that life-sustaining treatment may be withheld or withdrawn where the patient is terminally ill with no hope of recovery or is …

Karnataka now allows dignified death for the terminally ill
Top News
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Karnataka now allows dignified death for the terminally ill

The Hindu  

In a historic move, the Karnataka Health Department, on January 30, 2025, issued an order to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing terminally ill patients to die with dignity. “To enable a dignified death, the Supreme Court has held that life-sustaining treatment may be withheld or withdrawn where the patient is terminally ill with no hope of recovery or is …

Karnataka implements guidelines to allow terminally ill patients 'right to die with dignity'
Trending News
2 months ago

Karnataka implements guidelines to allow terminally ill patients 'right to die with dignity'

New Indian Express  

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has issued orders to implement the Supreme Court’s directive regarding a patient’s Right to Die with dignity. In the orders issued on Thursday, the health department appointed medical experts to the Secondary Medical Board to decide when life-sustaining treatment can be stopped for terminally ill patients. This ruling specifically applies to patients who have been undergoing …

Right to life includes right to dignified death: C onsumer rights activist
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Right to life includes right to dignified death: C onsumer rights activist

The Hindu  

Consumer rights activist Ravindranath Shanbhag said there is an imminent need for institutionalising living will, as the Right to Life also includes the ‘right to die’ to enable a person to die in a dignified manner. Dr. Shanbhag, who is the president of Udupi Human Rights Protection Foundation, was speaking on ‘The fundamental Right to Die in a Dignified Manner …

The quest for people to die with dignity is paramount
4 months, 1 week ago

The quest for people to die with dignity is paramount

The Independent  

It might be thought that the British people have had long enough to think about the subject of assisted dying. Indeed, the second question asked in 1937 by Gallup, the first company to carry out opinion polls with representative samples in Great Britain, was: “Do you consider that doctors should be given power to end the life of a person …

On last day, DY Chandrachud granted relief to parents seeking euthanasia for son
4 months, 2 weeks ago

On last day, DY Chandrachud granted relief to parents seeking euthanasia for son

India Today  

The parents of 30-year-old Harish Rana, who has been in a vegetative state for over 13 years following a severe head injury, have received long-awaited relief after the intervention of former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. Overwhelmed by the financial burden of their son's continued medical care, the parents had petitioned the Supreme Court for passive euthanasia, seeking the …

Judge bars woman from euthanasia at last minute
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Judge bars woman from euthanasia at last minute

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The case adds fuel to the contentious debate …

In pursuit of death
6 months ago

In pursuit of death

Times of India  

New guidelines aim to support the rights of terminally ill patients on life support The Situation Today | In India, more people than ever are getting access to life-saving treatments. The new guidelines from the government about stopping life support for terminally ill patients are meant to make it easier for them to exercise this right. Recent Court Cases | …

Euthanasia: Legal Aspects In India And Around The World
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Euthanasia: Legal Aspects In India And Around The World

Live Law  

The term Euthanasia comes from two Ancient Greek words: 'Eu' means 'Good', and 'thantos' means 'death', so euthanasia means good death. This two contradictory view held by the High Courts were referred to, the Supreme Court in P.Rathinam v. Union of India 3 SCC 394, aligned its views with Maruti Shripati Dubal case, whereby the apex court held that the …

Euthanasia Debate | The case against legalisation of euthanasia in India
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Euthanasia Debate | The case against legalisation of euthanasia in India

Hindustan Times  

In light of the recent case involving the 28-year-old Dutch woman who chose to end her life due to her struggles with depression, autism and personality disorder, it is crucial to not only address the concerns surrounding euthanasia but also to explore potential solutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As a mental health professional, my perspective on whether …

Letting go of it all: Ananth Mahadevan on his latest 'Aata Vel Zaali'
1 year ago

Letting go of it all: Ananth Mahadevan on his latest 'Aata Vel Zaali'

New Indian Express  

Rajesh Khanna philosophised fate when he said, ‘Zingadi aur maut upar wale ke haath hai in his 1971 hit Anand. His recently released film, Aata Vel Zaali, is an outcome of those ruminations. Similarly, an elderly couple living in a chawl in Girgaum, Maharashtra too had written to the President to legalise active euthanasia too,” says Mahadevan, adding, “I summarised …

Uphold dignity in death penalty
2 years ago

Uphold dignity in death penalty

Hindustan Times  

There are layers upon layers in the judicial debate on capital punishment — the efficacy and ethics of administering the death penalty, the adequacy of procedural safeguards, the choice of the most humane way to execute a person, and even the moral argument — but at its heart rests the motivation to safeguard the dignity of the life that is …

End-of-life decisions: On SC’s legal status to advance medical directives
2 years, 1 month ago

End-of-life decisions: On SC’s legal status to advance medical directives

The Hindu  

When the Supreme Court granted legal status to the concept of ‘advance medical directives’ in 2018 and allowed passive euthanasia, subject to stringent safeguards, it was seen as a vital recognition of both patient autonomy over end-of-life decisions and the right to a dignified death. The hospital should also form a secondary board, including a doctor nominated by the district’s …

Passive Euthanasia : Supreme Court Agrees To Modify Conditions For Living Will/Advance Medical Directive; Orders To Be Passed
2 years, 2 months ago

Passive Euthanasia : Supreme Court Agrees To Modify Conditions For Living Will/Advance Medical Directive; Orders To Be Passed

Live Law  

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, agreed that modifications are required to be made to the guidelines for Living Will/Advance Medical Directive that was issued by its judgment recognising 'passive euthanasia' in Common Cause v. Union of India And Anr. Ravikumar was considering a Miscellaneous Application filed by Indian Council for Critical Care Medicine, seeking modification of …

Will Make Guidelines on 'Living Will' More Workable, No Review of Passive Euthanasia Judgement: SC
2 years, 2 months ago

Will Make Guidelines on 'Living Will' More Workable, No Review of Passive Euthanasia Judgement: SC

News 18  

The Supreme Court said on Wednesday it will not review its 2018 judgement on passive euthanasia and only make the guidelines on “living will”, an advance medical directive on end of life treatment, more workable. The apex court’s 2018 order on passive euthanasia wherein it recognised the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right and an aspect of …

Suicide by Ailing Elderly Couple in Gujarat Reignites Debate on Euthanasia
3 years, 6 months ago

Suicide by Ailing Elderly Couple in Gujarat Reignites Debate on Euthanasia

News 18  

An elderly couple living in Saraswati Housing Society in Satellite area of ​​Ahmedabad city ended their lives on Thursday by hanging themselves. A five-judge constitution bench headed by the-then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said passive euthanasia and advance living will are “permissible”. The SC had in 2011 recognised passive euthanasia in the Aruna Shanbaug case by which it …

Freedom To Die: A Look At Active Euthanasia's Position In The Indian Legal System
3 years, 6 months ago

Freedom To Die: A Look At Active Euthanasia's Position In The Indian Legal System

Live Law  

Active euthanasia or voluntary euthanasia, sometimes also known as aggressive euthanasia is the act of voluntarily administering substances by a physician with the patient's consent which is capable of ending the patient's life thereby putting an end to their suffering which has led them to the decision to die in the first place. Laws Of Other Countries Allowing Active Euthanasia …

Euthanasia, Doctrine Of Double Effect And The Growing Need For Effective Palliative Care
4 years, 6 months ago

Euthanasia, Doctrine Of Double Effect And The Growing Need For Effective Palliative Care

Live Law  

Like most other philosophical doctrines and terms, the word 'euthanasia' has been derived from two Greek words, 'Eu' meaning 'well' and 'Thanatos' meaning 'death'. Palliative care is a specialized system and philosophy of care for delivering care to persons with life threatening diseases from the first stage of diagnosis to even after the death of the person i.e. Adequate palliative …

Chandigarh couple draws up ‘living will’ to die with dignity
5 years, 3 months ago

Chandigarh couple draws up ‘living will’ to die with dignity

Hindustan Times  

Close to two years after the Supreme Court ruled that a person has the right to decide against artificial life support by creating a “living will”, a professor couple of Chandigarh has drawn one up to “die with dignity”. It took the couple nine months to draft their two-page “living will”, which complies with the SC judgment on passive euthanasia. …

Voluntary Euthanasia is now legal in Oz’s Victoria
5 years, 9 months ago

Voluntary Euthanasia is now legal in Oz’s Victoria

Deccan Chronicle  

Melbourne: Victoria on Wednesday became first state in Australia to enact Euthanasia laws that would now allow terminally ill patients suffering from intolerable pain to legally ask their doctor for lethal drugs to end their lives. The state’s historic laws will be effective on Wednesday and under the scheme, terminally-ill Victorian adults in intolerable pain and with less than six …

The Good And Bad : Read 35 Important Supreme Court Judgments Of 2018
6 years, 3 months ago

The Good And Bad : Read 35 Important Supreme Court Judgments Of 2018

Live Law  

The Year 2018 is about to end soon and it is time for a flashback into important happenings in the legal universe.The year 2018 saw two CJIs- Former CJI Dipak Misra and the Current CJI Ranjan Gogoi. SC/ST RESERVATION IN PROMOTIONS No Need To Collect Quantifiable Data Of Backwardness To Give Reservation In Promotions For SC/STs- Nagraj Decision Clarified; Reference …

Everyone has right to die with dignity: Chief Justice of India on euthanasia
6 years, 6 months ago

Everyone has right to die with dignity: Chief Justice of India on euthanasia

Deccan Chronicle  

Pune: Just a few days after the Supreme Court gave a landmark judgment by decriminalising homosexuality, Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra said that each individual has the right to life as well as the right to live with dignity, but cases involving conflicting interest have to be dealt with in a balanced manner. Delivering the Dr Patangrao Kadam Memorial …

Living wills are often too old to sanction euthanasia: research
6 years, 7 months ago

Living wills are often too old to sanction euthanasia: research

Dutch News  

A large number of the euthanasia declarations signed by people in the Netherlands are useless because they have not been regularly updated, according to research by a Dutch family doctor. However, doctors cannot perform euthanasia on the basis of an old declaration, and fewer than half of people with a living will update it, Van Wijmen told Trouw on Wednesday. …

Living wills are often too old to sanction euthanasia: research
6 years, 7 months ago

Living wills are often too old to sanction euthanasia: research

Dutch News  

A large number of the euthanasia declarations signed by people in the Netherlands are useless because they have not been regularly updated, according to research by a Dutch family doctor. However, doctors cannot perform euthanasia on the basis of an old declaration, and fewer than half of people with a living will update it, Van Wijmen told Trouw on Wednesday. …

Territories can legislate abortion and medicinal cannabis, but not euthanasia. Here's why
6 years, 7 months ago

Territories can legislate abortion and medicinal cannabis, but not euthanasia. Here's why

ABC  

Kristine Klugman was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2011, and an operation wasn't possible. The Northern Territory and ACT governments can legislate on abortion, medicinal cannabis and other sensitive medical issues, but have been prevented from making laws on assisted dying for two decades. Senator Seselja says if assisted dying were legislated in the ACT, it would have national implications. …

If It Is My ‘Living Will’ to Die, Why Should the State Care?
7 years ago

If It Is My ‘Living Will’ to Die, Why Should the State Care?

The Quint  

The collapse of joint families and changing lifestyles has meant more and more old people are spending their last days in the clinical environment of a hospital, or a nursing home surrounded by strangers rather than loved ones. With dementia and mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s becoming as widespread, as cancer was a generation earlier, an advance decision allows a person …

SC in a landmark judgement legalises passive euthanasia, Catholic group condemns it
7 years ago

SC in a landmark judgement legalises passive euthanasia, Catholic group condemns it

Op India  

The Supreme Court in a landmark judgement on Friday legalised passive euthanasia and allowed ‘living will’. Passive euthanasia, on the other hand, is a process where medical treatment is withdrawn from a terminally ill patient to hasten his/her death. In this directive, the person in question can detail his/her choice regarding medical treatment in the event when he/she no longer …

Right to die with dignity' is part of right to life, says Supreme Court
7 years ago

Right to die with dignity' is part of right to life, says Supreme Court

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: In a landmark and progressive judgement, the Supreme Court on Friday held that ‘right to die with dignity’ is part of right to life, a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, and allowed “living will” where, an ailing adult in his conscious mind, is permitted to refuse medical treatment or voluntarily decide not to take medical …

Dignified death for the living
7 years ago

Dignified death for the living

Deccan Chronicle  

HYDERABAD: In a landmark judgment that will ease the minds of many, the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra legalised Passive Euthanasia on Friday. Anumeha Jha, senior research analyst for the NGO, said that in 2016, the government’s medical Bill addressed passive euthanasia as it was after Aruna Shanbaug’s case. Relatives of patients normally seek mercy …

SC judgement should help the poor die with dignity, says 1998 euthanasia petitioner
7 years ago

SC judgement should help the poor die with dignity, says 1998 euthanasia petitioner

The Hindu  

Karibasamma, a retired teacher, who had petitioned the Karnataka High Court to allow her to “die with dignity” back in 1998, said the Supreme Court’s landmark judgement allowing an individual to draft a living will is a commendable step in the right direction. Ms. Karibasamma has appealed to many including the then President of India Abdul Kalam and former Prime …

Aruna Shanbaug ruling flawed, says SC
7 years ago

Aruna Shanbaug ruling flawed, says SC

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Friday declared that its 2011 judgment in the case of Aruna Shanbaug is “flawed.” The Constitution Bench was answering doubts raised on whether passive euthanasia can only be introduced by means of a legislation as concluded in the Shanbaug judgment by a two-judge Bench led by Justice Markandey Katju. The five-judge Bench led by Chief Justice …

As SC legalises passive euthanasia, India joins league of select nations
7 years ago

As SC legalises passive euthanasia, India joins league of select nations

India TV News  

With the Supreme Court holding the right to die with dignity a fundamental right and recognising 'living will' made by terminally-ill patients as permissible, India has joined a league of select countries where passive euthanasia has been accorded legal sanctity. The Oxford English Dictionary defines "euthanasia" as "the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease …

Passive euthanasia verdict: It will be the doctors’ call
7 years ago

Passive euthanasia verdict: It will be the doctors’ call

The Hindu  

Guidelines prescribed by the Supreme Court on Friday while upholding passive euthanasia and ‘Living Will’, place a huge burden on the treating physician and hospital. For one, the responsibility is on the treating doctor to ascertain the “genuineness and authenticity” of a Living Will of a terminally ill patient from the Judicial Magistrate in whose custody the document is kept. …

Elderly couple seeks active euthanasia
7 years ago

Elderly couple seeks active euthanasia

The Hindu  

In December 2017, an elderly couple from Mumbai wrote to the President seeking permission for active euthanasia. Passive euthanasia involves withholding or discontinuing treatment for a terminally ill person where as active euthanasia involves injecting a lethal dose to a terminally ill person. We also don’t want anyone else to have to take care of us”, said Ms. Lavate, a …

Here Is What The 5 Judges Said While Recognizing Passive Euthanasia And Living Wills/ Advance Directives [Read Judgment]
7 years ago

Here Is What The 5 Judges Said While Recognizing Passive Euthanasia And Living Wills/ Advance Directives [Read Judgment]

Live Law  

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court on Friday recognized and gave sanction to passive Euthanasia and living will/advance directive.The judgment was delivered by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, Justice A.K. Recognizing passive euthanasia, it observed, "an adult human being having mental capacity to take an informed decision has right to refuse medical treatment including withdrawal …

Here Is What The 5 Judges Said While Recognizing Passive Euthanasia And Living Wills/ Advance Directives [Read Judgment]
7 years ago

Here Is What The 5 Judges Said While Recognizing Passive Euthanasia And Living Wills/ Advance Directives [Read Judgment]

Live Law  

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court on Friday recognized and gave sanction to passive Euthanasia and living will/advance directive.The judgment was delivered by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, Justice A.K. Recognizing passive euthanasia, it observed, "an adult human being having mental capacity to take an informed decision has right to refuse medical treatment including withdrawal …

Supreme Court Allows Passive Euthanasia: Landmark Ruling on End-of-Life Care
7 years ago

Supreme Court Allows Passive Euthanasia: Landmark Ruling on End-of-Life Care

Live Mint  

The Supreme Court has allowed passive euthanasia and execution of a living will of persons suffering from chronic terminal diseases and likely to go into a permanent vegetative state. The court's ruling upholds the right to die with dignity and lays down procedural guidelines governing the advance directive of a living will.

Passive euthanasia gets SC nod: Medical board would create hurdles, not smoothen path to peaceful demise
7 years ago

Passive euthanasia gets SC nod: Medical board would create hurdles, not smoothen path to peaceful demise

Firstpost  

For a country that swears by Mahatma Gandhi, it is sad that it has taken almost two decades for India to finally decide that both passive euthanasia and the living will are now legal. Just as a surgeon does not commit himsa when he wields his knife on his patient’s body for the latter’s benefit, similarly one may find it …

Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia: Bill protecting patients, doctors in such cases pending in Parliament
7 years ago

Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia: Bill protecting patients, doctors in such cases pending in Parliament

Firstpost  

The issue of passive euthanasia has a complex history and has been dealt with by numerous government bodies of the government. The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment on Friday, held that passive euthanasia is legal and observed that the right to die with dignity is a fundamental one. The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, in response to …

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