SC notice to all states and UTs on the issue of legalizing euthanasia

July 18, 2014

The Supreme Court has issued notice to all states and Union territories on a plea for legalizing passive euthanasia. The apex court issued the notice on a petition filed with it, saying the question of passive euthanasia (mercy killing) needs a comprehensive examination as there was no authoritative judicial pronouncement on the issue.
A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha, Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice J. Chelameswar, Justice AK Sikri and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman issued the notice on a plea filed with it, saying the question of passive euthanasia (mercy killing) needs a comprehensive examination as there was no authoritative judicial pronouncement on the issue.
The Centre is strongly opposed to the idea of legalizing passive euthanasia as it considers it as a form of suicide which is an offence in the country. It is also apprehensive that if euthanasia is legalized, then it will be misused.

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