Overview
The State’s basic duty to protect life with dignity, not merely bodily survival, is highlighted by the Supreme Court’s intervention in cases involving protracted comas. Because end-of-life care is at the intersection of law, medicine, ethics, and society values, judicial oversight is essential.
Constitutional and Legal Framework Article 21 has been interpreted liberally to include autonomy, dignity, and compassionate treatment. Important decisions such as Common Cause and Aruna Shanbaug recognised passive euthanasia with strict safeguards. These choices need judicial review, competent medical evaluation, and informed consent to prevent misuse.
Judicial Oversight’s Function
The judiciary does not assume the function of medical expertise or renounce its constitutional obligation. By supervising medical board reviews and retaining final authority, courts ensure evidence-based and constitutionally sound decisions. This multi-layered approach reflects constitutional morality, which based legal interpretation on moral principles rather than rigid formalism.
Social and Ethical Issues
End-of-life cases raise concerns about autonomy, beneficence, and justice, mostly because India lacks prior medical directives. They also draw attention to gaps in the public’s understanding of palliative care services and patient rights.
In conclusion
Judicial involvement in end-of-life care reflects the humanitarian evolution of Indian constitutionalism. By balancing medical knowledge, moral reasoning, and legal protections, the judiciary ensures that the right to life does not become a responsibility to suffer, upholding human dignity.
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About the Author: Jyoti Verma
