Law on euthanasia proposed in Kerala

Eminent jurist Justice V R Krishna Iyer, who headed the commission set up by the LDF Government, had suggested legalising euthanasia in cases where “death is the only salvation”. Justice Iyer had said euthanasia should be legalised by abolishing the clause that makes attempt to suicide an offence.

The draft proposal, however, is pending with the government for the last two years. “Mercy killing could be considered in cases where death is the only salvation and preservation of life would be medically impossible and visited with insufferable physical or mental pain,” the proposal said.

It suggested that mercy killing should be carried out with the written sanction of three state-recognised doctors certifying that the patient under consideration is a fit case for euthanasia.

The draft proposal suggests that legal sanction could be accorded to euthanasia by abolishing section 309 of IPC, which holds attempt to commit suicide as an offence.