Who was Aruna Shanbaug? How her 42-year coma paved way for India's first passive euthanasia verdict

Aruna Shanbaug, a former nurse, became a prominent figure in India's euthanasia debate after enduring a 42-year-long coma due to a brutal assault in 1973. Her family sought legal permission to end her life, arguing that her prolonged vegetative state was a form of suffering. The case attracted widespread attention, highlighting the complexities surrounding the right to die with dignity in India. In 2015, the Supreme Court of India ultimately rejected the family's plea, leading to Shanbaug's death from pneumonia later that year at the age of 66. However, the court's ruling was significant as it acknowledged passive euthanasia, allowing it under strict conditions and judicial oversight. This landmark decision has set a legal precedent for future discussions on euthanasia in the country, emphasizing the need for compassionate legislation surrounding end-of-life choices. Shanbaug's story has since served as a catalyst for ongoing debates about medical ethics, patient rights, and the legal landscape of euthanasia in India.