Right to die with dignity: SC allows passive euthanasia with guidelines

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday said passive euthanasia is permissible with guidelines.

"Human beings have the right to die with dignity," said the apex court after allowing passive euthanasia.

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SC said that "living will" be permitted but with the permission from family members of the person who sought passive euthanasia and also a team of expert doctors who say that the person's revival is practically impossible.

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra passed the order allowing passive euthanasia with guidelines.

The top court pronounced the verdict on a plea seeking legal sanction for passive euthanasia under which a person suffering from a terminal disease and in his/her last stage of life with no chance of recovery is allowed not to sustain life through artificial support system.

Also read: SC legalises passive euthanasia in historic move: Here's chronology of case

The petitioner, NGO 'Common Cause', had approached the court seeking a direction for recognition of 'living will'. The NGO contended that when a medical expert said that a person afflicted with terminal disease had reached a point of no return, then the person should be given the right to refuse being put on life support.