Supreme Court reserves Shanbaug verdict

The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a plea for Aruna Ramachandran Shanbaug’s mercy killing (euthanasia). Shanbaug has been living a vegetative existence in KEM Hospital for the past 37 years.   

During a hearing on Wednesday, attorney general Goolam E Vahanvati and the KEM Hospital counsel expressed strong reservations on allowing cutting short Shanbaug’s life.

Pinki Virani, an author and Shanbaug’s friend, however insisted that it would be  fair for the bed-ridden patient to bid goodbye as there’s no ray of hope for her survival anyway.   

KEM Hospital counsel Ballabh Sisodia said, “She is one of us; we have taken care of her. In the past so many years, no one has ever thought of putting her to sleep. This should not be allowed. Let her meet her natural end.”  

Addressing the bench of justice Markandey Katju and justice Gyan Sudha Misra, Vahanvati said Shanbaug has the right to live in the present state and that the government does not justify withdrawal of her food pipe.  Moreover, there is no provision either under the statute or the Constitution to permit euthanasia. 

Sisodia argued that the hospital staff has been taking care of her for 37 years and they are also opposed to her killing.