Jaipur scribe appeals to High Court for euthanasia

Jaipur, Apr 26 (UNI) A 70-year-old scribe here has appealed for euthanasia to the Rajasthan High Court.

The High Court magistrate K S Rathore in turn has issued a notice to the state government asking it to state reasons as to why shouldn't the petitioner, Girraj Prasad Gupta, be allowed to go in for euthanasia.

The petitioner Gupta says he is 70, suffers from diabetes, is hard of hearing and his visibility has reduced considerably. In 1984, one of his legs broke, in 1993 he suffered a heart attack and in 2001 he had a prostate gland operation followed by a hernia operation in 2005.

A retired Chief Proof Reader of one English newspaper here, Gupta has argued that he should be allowed to die a respectable death in the same way as everybody has a right to lead a respectable life.

Gupta, who now works as a freelancer, says he doesn't want that his family members fervently hope for his death when he gets bed-ridden later due to the number of diseases afflicting him.

Gupta says he doesn't want to commit suicide and earn a bad name for his family - which consists of his wife, two earning sons and one working daughter-in-law.

Gupta says he wants a painless death under the supervision of doctors.

The High Court has issued a notice to state's chief secretary in this regard.

UNI RRT VJ ND1832