Right to die: Will euthanasia be a fundamental right? SC to hear plea today

The Supreme Court's Constitution bench will on Tuesday begin the hearing on a plea favouring euthanasia.

A five-judge constitution bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, will hear the case.

Besides the CJI, the bench also comprises justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan.

The court had in February 2014 referred to a Constitution bench a plea favouring voluntary passive euthanasia or mercy killing in cases where a person is suffering from a terminal illness and has no chance of revival and recovery as per the medical opinion.

The court will consider the plea of an NGO, Common Cause, to declare 'right to die with dignity' as a fundamental right within the fold of Right to Live with Dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.