KILLING ME SOFTLY: THE DEBATE ON EUTHANASIA IN INDIA

Euthanasia is a complex ethical issue on which everyone has an opinion but the concept gets trickier when it comes to formulating law because the question grapples with moral and ethical values unlike any other. Coming to the distinction between euthanasia and suicide, the two concepts are very closely interlinked and the dividing line between them is very thin. While passive euthanasia denotes causing the death of incurable or terminally ill patients, active euthanasia or suicide is something universally known and presently a punishable offense in most countries.

PUNISHMENT UNDER INDIAN LAWS

An attempt to commit suicide is a criminal offense in India, punishable with imprisonment up to one year and a fine under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. It is an offense that is very unique, as in case someone fails, they are punished, but if they succeed, they are not since of course, a successful suicide would mean there is no one to punish. Those who abet suicide can be imprisoned for up to ten years and fined under Section 306 of IPC.