A 64-year-old widow in Andhra Pradesh has sought euthanasia for her son -- a 36-year-old graduate in aeronautical science who has been paralyzed for 15 years.
C Janardhan was offered a job in Australia in 1997. He was hit by a truck while he was on his way to Bangalore to get a visa. The accident also caused brain damage. He was in a coma for five years, but recovered from that. He cannot speak.
His mother, Lakshmamma, has filed a petition in a local court in Chittoor, asking for permission for a mercy killing.
She has told the court that her earnings are restricted to what she makes by working on a farm all day. Coupled with her widow's pension of Rs.500, that's nowhere near enough to pay for her son's medical expenses.
Her husband died eight years ago. "I don't know who will take care of him after my death. I can't see him suffer any longer. If my son gets mercy killing, I can die in peace," she said in the petition.
The court on Monday admitted her petition for hearing and has issued notices to the district collector and health department, asking them why the government can't extend medical help to Janardhan.
But the judge also said that the plea for mercy killing was unacceptable. She said nobody has a right to take another's life. The next hearing will be held on March 3.
Lakshmamma and her husband Chandrappa spent all their savings and sold their one-acre plot to pay their son's hospital bills.
In 2004, a woman had moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking mercy killing for her son K. Venkatesh, who had debilitating muscular dystrophy, so that his wish of donating his vital organs could be fulfilled.
The court rejected her petition on the ground that the present laws did not permit euthanasia and human organs could be harvested only from a brain dead patient.
Venkatesh died the same year. His mother Sujatha now works to help muscular dystrophy patients.
If you wish to help the family, please send your contributions/ cheques to the joint account of K Lakshmamma and son C Janardhan.
Andhra Bank a/c no 037010011024577
Madanapalle, Chittoor district
