New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict in the Aruna Shanbaug mercy killing case. The court is likely to come out with the verdict on Monday.
The two-judge bench of justices Markandey Katju and Gyan Sudha Mishra reserved the verdict after hearing the arguments by various parties on allowing euthanasia for Aruna.
Several counsel who made submissions on the controversial issue of permitting mercy killing included Attorney General GE Vahanvati, amicus curiae TR Andhyarujina, Ballabh Sisodia for the hospital and Shekhar Naphade appearing for the petitioner and author Pinky Virani, who had sought permission for Aruna's mercy killing.
"Though we appreciate concern of petitioner Pinki Virani, her attachment cannot be greater than the hospital staff who have taken care of her for 37 years, feeding her, washing her without a bed sore. Aruna's next friend is KEM hospital. We respect Virani," said Justice Katju.
During the arguments, Vahanvati took the stand that there is no provision either under the statute or the constitution to permit euthanasia.
Sisodia opposed the plea contending that the hospital staff, particularly the nurses and the doctors, have been taking "dedicated care" of Aruna for the past 37 years and they were opposed to the plea for her killing.
The government had opposed the petition filed by activist and journalist Pinki Virani saying the apex court must direct Mumbai Hospital to stop feeding Shanbaug.
Vahanvati said Shanbaug has the right to live in the present state and that the government does not justify withdrawal of her food pipe.
Aruna has been in coma for 37 years after she was sexually assaulted by a hospital ward boy.
"This is a landmark case in Supreme Court. Aruna Shanbaug has been with us from last 37 yrs with a case of brain damage. All these years she had been eating of her own when the food was taken to her lips, after September she had malaria & then onwards she was tube fed. We have taken care for 37 year and we wish to take care of her till she meets her natural death," said Dr Sanjay Oak, dean, KEM hospital.
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