Journalist Petitions Court Pleading Mercy Killing

A 79-year-old freelance journalist here has petitioned the Rajasthan High Court seeking permission for euthanasia, saying he wants to die with dignity.

In his petition filed Wednesday, Giriraj Prasad Gupta pleaded for mercy killing on the ground that he was unable to perform his day-to-day functions independently and did not want to lead a crippled life waiting for death.

He said he had a hearing problem, diabetes, poor vision and heart disorders. He has been operated upon for hernia and prostate, and he had fractured his legs and hands once. He said he wanted to "die with dignity" rather than become a bedridden patient waiting for death.

The journalist clarified that he was loved and taken care of by his family members, who were all well settled. He also said that he was able to earn Rs.8,000 a month.

Arguing that the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and the Jain philosophy speak of immortality and reincarnation, Gupta said he wanted to facilitate transfer of his soul into a new body.

Gupta's counsel N.C. Goel said his client wanted to die with dignity, for which he would require a doctor's help and the doctor should also not be penalised for it.

--Edited IANS

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