Under BNS 2023, Section 113 deals with 'Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power.' However, the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Common Cause vs. Union of India (2018) legalized which medico-legal concept in India?
- A Physician-assisted suicide in terminally ill patients
- B Active euthanasia for patients in irreversible coma
- C Voluntary euthanasia for patients with chronic pain
- D Passive euthanasia with advance directives (living will) ✓
Explanation
In Common Cause v. Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court of India upheld the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right under Article 21, and legalized passive euthanasia with advance medical directives (living wills). This allows a competent adult to execute an advance directive specifying that life-sustaining treatment be withheld if they become terminally ill and unable to make decisions. Active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide remain illegal in India. The decision also provided guidelines for withdrawing treatment from terminally ill patients.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.