Supreme court allows ‘Living Will’ for Passive Euthanasia

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court has permitted a ‘living will’ that will allow patients to withdraw medical support in case they slip into irreversible coma or a vegetative state.

If a person makes a ‘living will’  in her or his correct state of mind, it will dictate the terms of seeking voluntary euthanasia. The Bench put forward guidelines on who would execute the will and stated that the final nod for granting passive euthanasia would come from the medical board.

The constitution Bench of five judges agreed on ‘living will’ as a refuge for a person in coma or in a vegetative state who doesn’t wish to live. In 2011, the SC had recognised passive euthanasia in the Aruna Shanbaug case. This allowed for the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from patients who are not in a position to make an informed decision.