New Delhi: Following is the chronology of
events relating to the 60-year-old KEM nurse Aruna Ramachandra
Shanbaug whose plea for mercy killing was today rejected by
the Supreme Court.
1966: Aruna, hailing from Haldipur, Shimoga in Karnataka,
joins KEM Hospital, Mumbai as a staff nurse.
Nov 27, 1973: Aruna, 24, is assaulted physically and
sodomised by a sweeper, Sohanlal Valmiki, at the hospital, who
ties a dog's leash around her neck and yanks her with it.
Nov 28, 1973: A cleaner finds her lying on the floor with
blood all over in an unconscious condition. It is learnt that
due to strangulation by the dog's leash, supply of oxygen to
the brain stopped and the brain got damaged.
Later, nurses at KEM go on a three-day strike demanding
additional security and better working conditions.
1974: Sohanlal is sentenced to seven years' imprisonment
for attempt to murder and for robbing Aruna's earrings.
1998: Journalist and author Pinki Virani is given
permission to shift Aruna for MRI to Jaslok Hospital. However,
doctors, fearing it could cause Aruna's death, retract the
permission.
The same year, 'Aruna's story, the true account of a rape
and its aftermath' authored by Pinki Virani is published.
Dec 18, 2009: SC admits Pinki Virani's petition for mercy
killing of Aruna.
Jan 24, 2011: SC appoints a team of three distinguished
doctors of Mumbai -- J V Divatia, Roop Gurshani and Nilesh
Shah -- to examine Aruna thoroughly and submit a report about
her physical and mental condition.
Dr Sanjay Oak, Dean KEM Hospital, Mumbai issues a
statement opposing euthanasia for Aruna.
Feb 17: The team of doctors submits report to the court.
Feb 18: SC directs the three doctors to appear before it
on March 2,2011. Also to explain technical terms used in the
report and share their views on euthanasia.
Mar 2, 2011: SC reserves verdict.
Mar 7, 2011: SC dismisses plea for mercy killing of
Aruna. Allows passive euthanasia under exceptional
circumstances.
PTI
First Published: Monday, March 07, 2011, 21:58