70-year-old wants to die, asks Karnataka HC to get her killed

[BUTTERFLY: Nature Club of India]

70-year-old wants to die, asks Karnataka HC to get her killed
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_70-year-old-wants-to-die-asks-karnataka-hc-to-get-her-killed_1421810

Published: Wednesday, Aug 11, 2010,

By Odeal D'Souza | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

The Karnataka high court on Tuesday directed the state government to
furnish medical records of HB Karibasamma, a 70-year-old woman seeking
the court’s permission for euthanasia.

Justice Ajit Gunjal while hearing the petition asked the government to
provide the records in a week’s time. Gunjal also issued notices to
the ministry of parliamentary affairs, ministry of law and justice,
and the chief secretary, Karnataka.

This is the first case in the Karnataka high court seeking permission
for mercy killing.

Pramila Nesargi, senior counsel and former chairperson of the State
Women’s Commission, representing Karibasamma, said the petitioner
could be granted the right to die with dignity as she did not want to
be a burden on the society.

Karibasamma is suffering from intervertebral disc prolapse, commonly
known as slip disc. The ailment affects the spine, tearing its outer
fibrous ring and swelling the soft central portion. The tears in the
disc ring may result in inflammatory chemical mediators which cause
severe pain. Karibasamma, who is also diabetic, is suffering from the
ailment for the past 10- 11 years.

The retired school teacher languishes in an old age home in Davangere
with a monthly pension of Rs8,968, which barely covers her medical
expenses. With nobody to take care of her, she suffers from mental as
well as physical agony. As attempts to eliminate her pain failed,
Karibasamma is unwilling to live a harrowing life of pain and misery.

She had been giving representations to various authorities seeking
permission to end her life from 2003. This includes one sent to the
prime minister’s office this year.

“I do not have any children. I am the second wife of my husband. I am
tired of my life. I am suffering from intense pain. I do not want to
trouble my relatives anymore. I stay in the old age home for treatment
since there is no treatment at our village. I am fighting this case as
an underprivileged person,” said Karibasamma.

She further contended that she does not want to commit suicide but
wants to the government’s permission to end her life through
euthanasia or a physician-assisted death. Karibasamma does not want
her case to be labelled a cowardly act of suicide but as an honourable
end to a person who valiantly fought life.
Legal experts expressed their opinion on granting a dignified death to
Karibasamma. “There is no law for euthanasia in India. There should be
committees formed to look into such issues. Since people undergo too
much pain and the government does not support them financially
euthanasia should be legalised,” opined Nesargi.

“It is not permissible in India. When we cannot ensure a life without
suffering then mercy killing should be allowed,” said advocate AV
Amarnathan.