Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India's top court says passive euthanasia is permissible

Right to die with dignity is a fundamental right, India's Supreme Court has said.

In a landmark judgement, the court on Friday gave legal sanction to passive euthanasia and has issued detailed guidelines in this regard.


Reading out the judgement, the Chief Justice of India said the judges were unanimous that the living will should be permitted as a person cannot be allowed to continue suffering in coma when he or she does not wish to live.

The ruling comes from a petition filed by an NGO seeking direction for recognition of 'living will.' In its petition, the NGO contended that a person should be given the right to refuse being put on life support if a medical expert says the person has reached a point of no return.

"How can a person be told that he/she does not have right to prevent torture on his body? Right to life includes right to die with dignity. A person cannot be forced to live on support of ventilator. Keeping a patient alive by artificial means against his/her wishes is an assault on his/her body," the petition said.

In 2011, the Supreme Court had recognised passive euthanasia in Aruna Shanbaug case.

Shanbaug was a nurse at the KEM Hospital in Maharashtra who lay like a vegetable for 42 years after being sexually assaulted by a ward boy.
Shanbaug was raped on November 27, 1973 while she was changing her clothes after work. She was tied down with a dog chain around her neck while she was assaulted and by next morning the chain had cut off oxygen supply to her brain.
She lived in a comatose state for the next four decades and she was cared for by her colleagues at KEM Hospital. They took such good care of Shanbaug that she had not developed even a single bed sore in the 40 years she was at the hospital.
In 2009, activist Pinki Virani petitioned the Supreme Court for passive euthanasia for Shanbaug, however, the nurses at the hospital refused to let her die. Although Virani's plea was turned down by the court, it said the hospital can withdraw life support if they changed their mind.

Shanbaug finally passed away on May 15, 2015 from pneumonia.

More For You

Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

Wes Streeting addresses the Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28),joined by Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Vikram Doraiswami

Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

WES STREETING spoke of the priority prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government attach to relations with India when he addressed a Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28).

But the secretary of state for health and social care won over the large Indian crowd by paying an unexpected tribute to Rishi Sunak.

Keep ReadingShow less