HC raps state for non-implementation

The Bombay High Court rapped the Maharashtra government and the authorities for failing to implement the Supreme Court judgment on 'living wills' in toto, remarking that it was 'unfortunate that a person has to file a petition to get the apex order implemented'.

- URVI MAHAJANI

SC judgement on living will

A living will is a written, legal document that spells out medical treatments one would and would not want used to keep one alive, as well as preferences for other medical decisions, such as pain management or organ donation.

The HC was hearing a PIL filed by Dr Nikhil Datar, a gynaecologist and a judicial activist, seeking the implementation of the SC directive that simplified the guidelines of passive euthanasia and also sought that the state government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) be directed to appoint a custodian for the same.