Woman's Plea To Stop Friend From Travelling Abroad For Euthanasia Withdrawn From Delhi High Court

The plea filed by a woman seeking to stop her friend from travelling to Europe for "Euthanasia" was withdrawn from the Delhi High Court today.

The Petitioner had approached the Court to prevent grant of emigration clearance to her male friend who was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Justice Yashwant Varma was apprised by Advocate Subhash Chandran that he had instructions to withdraw the petition after the woman got to know that her friend was "deeply traumatised" by filing of the case.

As the plea was dismissed as withdrawn, the Court directed the Registry to take steps for masking the details of the man (friend) from judicial records.

Claiming that the friend made 'false claims' before Indian as well as foreign authorities for getting travel permissions, the plea sought direction on Centre through Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to constitute a medical board to examine his medical condition and also provide necessary medical assistance to to him.

The plea averred that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a complex, debilitating, long-term neuro inflammatory disease which is a "poorly understood condition" and is in early stages of research.

Further stating that the man's symptoms started in 2014 and his condition deteriorated over the past eight years, the plea added that at present, he is completely bed bound and just able to walk a few steps inside home.

"Finally, this year Respondent No.3 has decided to go for Euthanasia through Dignitas, an organization in Zurich, Switzerland which provides physician assisted suicide and he had travelled to Zurich for first round of psychological evaluation in June 11 to 18, 2022. According to the information received by the Petitioner, his application was accepted by Dignitas, first evaluation was approved and now awaiting the final decision by end of August, 2022," the plea added.

The petition further stated that the man is now adamant on his decision to go for Euthanasia, which will also affect the life of his old parents miserably, who still have a ray of hope for his betterment.

Case Title: SINDHU M.K. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.