Plea for euthanasia rejected

The High Court on Wednesday rejected a petition filed by a 70-year-old retired teacher from Davangere, seeking permission for mercy killing.

In her petition, Karibasamma said since she had been suffering from slipped disc and diabetes for 11 years, she wanted to end her life. 

Disposing of the petition, Justice Ajit Gunjal said the petitioner needed psychiatric counselling rather than euthanasia. “The petitioner is suffering from a terminal disease. She is living in an old-age home and has emotional problems. She has taken the decision to seek euthanasia due to personal problems. She needs psychiatric counselling,” he said.

Karibasamma said she consulted doctors, who resorted only to non-surgical, conservative methods, owing to her age. As her condition did not show any improvement with all the treatment, she sought the court’s permission to end her life.

The state government, in its objection filed in August, had said she suffered from a neurological disease, which could be treated at NIMHANS.