Supreme Court Seeks Government's Response on Passive Euthanasia Plea for Vegetative State Patient

The Supreme Court has asked the central government to respond to a plea for forming a medical board to evaluate the permissibility of passive euthanasia for a man in a vegetative state. The man's family contends there's no hope for recovery and seeks consideration for mercy killing.

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday inquired the central government to file a response to a plea advocating the formation of a medical board. This board would determine the eligibility for passive euthanasia for a man who has been in a vegetative state for 11 years.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued the directive, seeking input from the Centre and other respondents about the case. The petitioner, represented by advocates Manish Jain and Jugul Kishor Gupta, approached the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court denied their initial request.

The plea details the man's tragic condition—suffering from diffuse axonal injury and quadriplegia subsequent to a fall in 2013, rendering him completely dependent on family. Despite extensive medical efforts, doctors have given up hope for his recovery, prompting his family to seek legal permission for passive euthanasia.