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Court rejects euthanasia plea, orders state assistance

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court yesterday rejected the plea of an agricultural labourer for the mercy killing of her ten-year-old daughter, who has been suffering from an agonising ailment since the last two years.

The bench observed that grant of permission for mercy killing or euthanasia could not be considered. It, however, directed the government to bear the expenses for the girl's treatment.

Shobhatai Ganesh Rohi (40) of Achalpur in Amravati district had written to the court seeking permission for the mercy killing of her daughter Pranjali or proper treatment.

In her letter, the woman said Pranjali was in agony from pus formation in the ear, reportedly due to cancer. Being illiterate and poor, she was unable to arrange for surgery as advised by a doctor. Nor could she stand the sight of Pranjali suffering from the excruciating pain. Aware of her mother's helplessness, Pranjali expressed a desire to end her life.

The court directed the government to arrange for a diagnosis and report to the court about the result within a week.

UNI

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