Andhra Couple seek mercy killing for baby girl

Chittoor, June 25: Nothing could be more traumatising for a couple to see their own child hanging between life and death. This couple from Andhra Pradesh are running from pillar to post to seek death for their 8 month-old daughter. Ailing from a chronic congenital liver disease, the baby needs treatment worth lakhs, but the parents- mere farmers- cannot afford that. The only way they can bring relief to their daughter is through death.

Ramanappa and Saraswati, belonging to RS Kothapalli village in Chittoor district, approached the Tamballapalle civil court, seeking passive euthanasia for their daughter Gnana Sai.

But junior judge Vasudev refused to admit their petition saying that they had no power to decide such cases and asked the couple to seek Chittoor district court or the high court's help.

Revealing the condition of the baby, Ramappa said that she had undergone a surgery in Bengaluru but that was of no help. Doctors demanded a liver transplant within two months. We spent 5 lakh on her so far and now, we are penniless," he said. He said that he was ready to donate his liver to his daughter, but the entire procedure required 30 lakh rupees. "Besides, doctors said both the donor and girl have to take medicines worth 30,000 per month regularly. We went from pillar to post to mobilise money, but could not," he further added.

Tamballapalli legislator G Shankar Yadav, who is the local legislator came to know of the couple's plight and has assured help. "I will bring it to the notice of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and see that the government will bear the expenses for Sai's treatment,"he said.

OneIndia News