vIndianz.com (16 Dec, 2009) — A person cannot be allowed to die according to Indian laws, the Supreme Court observed on Wednesday whilst hearing the appeal of an ex- nurse who has been in coma for 36 years after being raped.
The court asked the Central and Maharashtra governments to respond to a petition moved on behalf of Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug, 59, who has been in a vegetative state in Mumbai’s KEM hospital after being sexually assaulted by a sweeper in 1973.
“Under the law of the country, we cannot permit a person to die,” a bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices A K Ganguly and B S Chauhan said about the petition which seeks that Shanbaug not be fed.
The court decided to issue a notice to the governments after lawyer Shekhar Nafde explained the petition didn’t request for “euthanasia” but was a plea moved by Shanbaug’s friend Pinki Virani.
“This is no human right. Her life is worse than animal existence,” the advocate said referring to Shanbaug. He said Shanbaug, who had joined as a nurse in the KEM hospital in 1966, is unconscious and has been lying on bed ever since 1973.
The petition sought a course for the state government and Municipal Corporation of Brihan Mumbai to carry out tests to determine Shanbaug’s medical condition.
Further Reading- Apex court questions Orissa on mining licence to POSCO – Sify
- DOJ Says Supreme Court Should Not Review Reform Lawsuit Early – California Healthline
- Talwars’ Petition Against Summons Dismissed by HC – Outlook
- Nirmal Yadav contests CBI court summons in HC – Times of India
- Talwars move Allahabad High Court against CBI court order – Economic Times
- Talwars move Allahabad High Court against CBI court order – Economic Times
- European court: Crucifix acceptable in classrooms – The Associated Press
- Petition for contempt action against Raja – The Hindu
- Pak court to take crucial Mumbai petition on Feb 24 – Economic Times
- Thomas to file review plea in SC – Indian Express
Stay updated! Follow us on twitter and subscribe to our feed via Feedburner.
No Comments