euthanasia

In 2004, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patient Kolavennu Venkatesh filed a plea to be euthanised, which created a nationwide debate around the practice. His struggle inspired the film Salaam Venky starring Kajol.

"Human beings have the right to die with dignity," the bench said while announcing the ruling.

As early as in 1981, in the case of Francis Coralie Mullin vs. Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi, the Apex Court held in very clear terms that right to life does not mean a mere animal existence of the human being.

They boys' family had begged for euthanasia because of their condition but Indian doctors, the government and Air India decided to gift them life instead.