IN T R O D U C T IO N

EUTHANASIA

GREEK WORD
EU (good) Thanatosis (death)

• Good Death
• Gentle and Easy Death
• Mercy Killing
 ACTIVE TYPES OF EUTHANASIA

PASSIVE

VOLUNTARY

INVOLUNTARY

INDIRECT

ASSISTED
ACTIVE

PASSIVE
 Chronology of events that
May 11, 2005 :- SC
takes note of PIL of led to SC recognising 'living
Feb 11: DMC files
NGO 'Common Cause'
seeking nod to allow
will' copy of
terminally-ill persons to proceedings of
execute a living will for Jan 23, 2014:  International
Jan 16, 2006: SC A three-judge
passive euthanasia. It Jan 31, Workshop for
allows Delhi Medical bench led by
seeks the Centre's 2007: SC Policy Statement
Council (DMC) to then  ..
response on the plea asks parties on Euthanasia in
intervene and asks it
which seeks declaration to file India and SC
to file documents on
of 'right to die with documents. reserves verdict.
passive euthanasia.
dignity' as a
Fundamental Right July 15: A five-judge
Feb 25: SC cites
under Article 21 (right bench commences
inconsistencies in
to life) of the hearing on the plea,
earlier verdicts on
Constitution. issues notices to all
passive
euthanasia states and UTs, and
Apr 28: Law Mar 7, 2011: SC, on a including the one appoints senior
Commission suggests separate plea on behalf given in the advocate T R
a draft bill on passive of Aruna Shanbaug, Shanbaug case Andhyarujina as an
euthanasia and says allows passive and refers the PIL amicus curiae. He
such pleas be made to euthanasia for the nurse to a Constitution dies during the
HCs which should lying in vegetative state bench. pendency of the
decide after taking at a hospital in Mumbai. case.
experts' views.
 Oct 11, 2017: Five-judge
Constitution bench led by CJI
Dipak Misra hears arguments
Feb 15, 2016: Centre and reserves the verdict.
says that it is
deliberating the
issue.

March 9, 2018: SC recognises 'living will' made by terminally-ill

patients for passive euthanasia and lays down guidelines on
procedures to be adopted for it.