Who is H B Karibasamma? First likely beneficiary of 'right to die with dignity' in Karnataka

After Karnataka decided to implement the Supreme Court’s directive on terminally ill patients’ 'right to die with dignity', 85-year-old H B Karibasamma is set to make history as she is likely to become the first beneficiary of the policy.

It is noteworthy that the 'right to die with dignity' directive applies to patients with no hope of recovery, or who are in a persistent vegetative state, and where the patient no longer benefits from life-sustaining treatment.

Here is all you need to know about Karibasamma

- Karibasamma who is currently living in an old-age home with her husband in Davanagere, has spent the last 24 years campaigning for the right for terminally ill patients to die with dignity.

- She has recently been diagnosed with cancer and has endured a slipped disc for over 30 years.

- Till 2010, Karibasamma had collected 10,000 signatures in support of her campaign for access to euthanasia and sent it to the president, PM and state government.

- In the same year, she approached the high court seeking the right to die. It was only after senior advocate Pramila Nesargi argued her case that her legal battle gained momentum.

- “I researched euthanasia laws in other countries and even wrote articles about them. After I sent a letter to the President of India advocating for the legalisation of euthanasia, police officials from Bengaluru interrogated me, stating that since euthanasia is not legally recognised in India, I should refrain from submitting further petitions,” she said as reported by India Today.

- She is sacrificed a lot in her fight for her right to die, where she lost her property and finances as well. “I faced opposition from my relatives for selling my house, so I left and chose to live in an ashram. I deposited Rs 6 lakh in a bank to donate to the BSF soldiers’ welfare fund and plan to raise Rs 10 lakh in total for the welfare of our border security forces,” the publication quoted her as saying.

(With DHNS inputs)