Tushar Chowdhary & Aditya Chawla, Christ Deemed to be University Delhi NCR
ABSTRACT
When a person takes his or her own life, it is referred to as "suicide," however when a person's life is taken by others at the request of the dead, it is referred to as "euthanasia" or "mercy killing." This research paper aims to explain what euthanasia is and how it may be used in three distinct situations throughout the life of a live individual, starting from birth. Though both suicide and euthanasia have the same goal of self-destruction, there is a significant distinction between the two1. Euthanasia may be divided into five categories, and it can be used in a variety of ways. Apart from sociologists' perspectives on euthanasia, its legal status in India in light of the Indian Constitution, Indian Penal Code, and other current legislation, the positions of several nations throughout the world are also discussed. There are arguments for and against legalising euthanasia. Every person has the right to life and personal liberty, as guaranteed by Article 21. Over time, it has become clear that Article 21's idea of Right to Life encompasses not only a physical right to life, but also the Right to Live with Dignity.2 Furthermore, many Courts have made separate observations implying that the right to life includes the right to die with dignity. On that basis, the term euthanasia has long been an integral part of the argument over the right to live and die with dignity. Our Constitution contains no definition or mechanism for determining the dignity of life and its scope, as stated in Article 21. It also doesn't say who has the power to decide on a person's life's dignity. Furthermore, euthanasia has always been a decision between the rights to life and death. As a result, the focus of this research is on the legal implications of euthanasia in judging the value of a person's life.
Keywords: Euthanasia, Mercy killing, Suicide, Voluntary euthanasia, Consent for Killing, Passive euthanasia, Assisted Dying, Qualitative, Healing, Active euthanasia
