The Supreme Court today reserved its judgement on Constitutionality of Euthanasia and living wills..The case was heard by a Bench presided by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and comprising of Justices A.K.Sikri, A.M.Khanwilkar, D.Y.Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan..The second day witnessed arguments on the issue of whether a “living will” be treated as the final word or the examination report of the medical board be given preference over the same..The day began with the Centre’s submissions on living will. ASG PS Narasimha advocated that a balanced approach must be considered for deciding such cases while expressing his concerns about misuse of a living will..During the course of the hearing, Justice Chandrachud observed that a conscious person, who is aware of medical advancement is entitled to decide whether or not he requires the life support system..“So long as you are in your faculties you can decide.”.The Court observed that it is essential to determine whether the guidelines postulated in Aruna Shanbaug case is adequate or not..Narasimha then impressed upon the practical problems, which the medical board faces, when a living will is placed before it. It was also his submission that the government does not oppose euthanasia and has examined it from various perspectives while expressing his concerns on the final say of living will..The bench expressed its inclination for constituting medical boards across the Country in each district. It was also the view of the bench that the board must be impartial and independent..Senior Advocate Arvind Datar appeared and argued for Vidhi Centre for legal policy while Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde along with advocates Pranjal Kishore and Nitin Mishra appeared for Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine..The Court after hearing the parties reserved its judgement in the case..Read submissions made by the parties.
The Supreme Court today reserved its judgement on Constitutionality of Euthanasia and living wills..The case was heard by a Bench presided by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and comprising of Justices A.K.Sikri, A.M.Khanwilkar, D.Y.Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan..The second day witnessed arguments on the issue of whether a “living will” be treated as the final word or the examination report of the medical board be given preference over the same..The day began with the Centre’s submissions on living will. ASG PS Narasimha advocated that a balanced approach must be considered for deciding such cases while expressing his concerns about misuse of a living will..During the course of the hearing, Justice Chandrachud observed that a conscious person, who is aware of medical advancement is entitled to decide whether or not he requires the life support system..“So long as you are in your faculties you can decide.”.The Court observed that it is essential to determine whether the guidelines postulated in Aruna Shanbaug case is adequate or not..Narasimha then impressed upon the practical problems, which the medical board faces, when a living will is placed before it. It was also his submission that the government does not oppose euthanasia and has examined it from various perspectives while expressing his concerns on the final say of living will..The bench expressed its inclination for constituting medical boards across the Country in each district. It was also the view of the bench that the board must be impartial and independent..Senior Advocate Arvind Datar appeared and argued for Vidhi Centre for legal policy while Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde along with advocates Pranjal Kishore and Nitin Mishra appeared for Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine..The Court after hearing the parties reserved its judgement in the case..Read submissions made by the parties.
