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New Delhi, February 12, 2025: The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a plea in two weeks regarding the legalization of passive euthanasia for rabies patients, a disease known for its 100% fatality rate and severe suffering. The petition challenges a 2019 Delhi High Court order that denied patients suffering from rabies the right to a dignified death.
On Monday, a bench comprising Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran acknowledged the petition and scheduled it for review on a non-miscellaneous day. The plea was filed by the NGO All Creatures Great and Small, which advocates for recognizing rabies as an exceptional medical condition warranting physician-assisted euthanasia.
The NGO argues that rabies, once symptomatic, leads to inevitable and excruciating death, making it distinct from other terminal illnesses. Citing the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling that legalized passive euthanasia under specific circumstances, the petition seeks a legal exception for terminal rabies cases.
Currently, passive euthanasia is permitted in India under strict guidelines, allowing patients in a persistent vegetative state or with incurable conditions to withdraw life support. The petitioner contends that rabies patients, despite facing certain death and extreme agony, are not afforded the same considerations under existing laws.
Legal experts believe that this case could set a significant precedent in India’s euthanasia laws. The Supreme Court’s forthcoming decision will determine whether rabies patients can opt for a medically supervised and humane end to their suffering.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on ongoing legal proceedings and should not be considered as medical or legal advice. The final ruling on the matter is pending, and euthanasia remains a legally regulated issue in India. Readers are encouraged to follow official legal developments for accurate information.
(Source: The Hindu – link)
