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

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.

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.

Following is the chronology of events related to Friday's landmark verdict by the Supreme Court:

May 11, 2005: SC takes note of PIL of NGO 'Common Cause' seeking nod to allow terminally-ill persons to execute a living will for passive euthanasia. It seeks the Centre's response on the plea which seeks declaration of 'right to die with dignity' as a Fundamental Right under Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution

January 16, 2006: SC allows Delhi Medical Council (DMC) to intervene and asks it to file documents on passive euthanasia

April 28, 2006: Law Commission suggests a draft bill on passive euthanasia and says such pleas be made to HCs which should decide after taking experts' views

January 31, 2007: SC asks parties to file documents

March 7, 2011: SC, on a separate plea on behalf of Aruna Shanbaug, allows passive euthanasia for the nurse lying in vegetative state at a hospital in Mumbai.

January 23, 2014: A three-judge bench led by then CJI P Sathasivam starts final hearing in the case

February 11, 2014: Delhi Medical Council (DMC) files copy of proceedings of International Workshop for Policy Statement on Euthanasia in India and SC reserves verdict

February 25, 2014: SC cites inconsistencies in earlier verdicts on passive euthanasia including the one given in the Shanbaug case and refers the PIL to a Constitution bench

July 15, 2014: A five-judge bench commences hearing on the plea, issues notices to all states and UTs, and appoints senior advocate TR Andhyarujina as an amicus curiae. He dies during the pendency of the case

February 15, 2016: Centre says that it is deliberating the issue

October 11, 2017: Five-judge Constitution bench led by CJI Dipak Misra hears arguments and reserves the verdict

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.