Euthanasia In India: A Study Of Indian Law, Medical Ethics, And International Comparisons
- IJLLR Journal
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
Yashika Srivastava, BA LLB (Hons.),Indian International University of Legal Education and Research
ABSTRACT
Euthanasia, commonly known as mercy killing, is the act of intentionally ending a person's life to put an end to their pain and suffering, especially when they are terminally ill with no chance of recovery. This paper examines the legal and medical dimensions of euthanasia in India, with a specific focus on how the Indian judiciary has interpreted Article 21 of the Constitution, The Right to Life, to include the right to die with dignity. The paper traces the evolution of euthanasia law through landmark judgements: Gian Kaur v. State of Punjab (1996), Aruna Shanbaug v. Union of India (2011), and Common Cause v. Union of India (2018). It further discusses the ethical challenges faced by medical professionals, the role of the Law Commission of India, and the distinction between active and passive euthanasia. A comparative analysis shows how countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and the United States, have approached legalisation, and what lessons India can draw from these models. The paper concludes that while India has made significant judicial progress, a clear and comprehensive legislation governing euthanasia and end-of-life care is the urgent need of the hour.
Keywords: Euthanasia, Article 21, Right to Die, Passive Euthanasia, Active Euthanasia, Medical Ethics, Living Will, Advance Medical Directive, Indian Constitution, Comparative Law.
