Indian Supreme Court on Friday recognized 'living will' made by terminally-ill patients for passive euthanasia.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said passive euthanasia and advance living will are “permissible”.
The other judges were justices A.K. Sikri, A.M. Khanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan also laid down guidelines as to who would execute the will and how the nod for passive euthanasia would be granted by the medical board.
The apex court said that advance directives for terminally-ill patients could be issued and executed by the next friend and relatives of such person after which a medical board would consider it.