Elderly Mumbai couple seek Euthanasia after having lived a satisfactory life

Iravati and Narayan Lavate say that they have lived a complete life and do not wish for medical ailments to 'spoil their memories together.' They add that they are unsure how either would live if the other passes away.

Representational image courtesy Pixabay

Mumbai: An elderly couple has written to President Ram Nath Kovind requesting him to approve their plea for active euthanasia be accepted. The couple has written that they have led a satisfactory life together after being married for 68 years and do not wish to live anymore.

Active euthanasia or assisted suicide is something 87-year-old Narayan Lavate and 78-year-old Iravati Lavate began contemplating upon since the much-highlighted case of KEM nurse Aruna Shanbaug. While euthanasia sought by Shanbaug - after being in vegetative state for 37 years following sexual assault - was declined by the Supreme Court, Lavates remain hopeful of a positive response from President Kovind.

This especially after Lavates' letters of request to Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, former law minister Ram Jethmalani and other political leaders largely went un-noticed.

The Lavate's are members of Switzerland-based Dignitas which helps in physian-assisted deaths. While Iravati previously managed to get her passport renewed, Narayan did not and the couple could not travel abroad.

Residents of a chawl in Grant Road, both Iravati and Narayan now say that they have lived a complete life and do not wish for medical ailments to 'spoil their memories together.' They add that they are unsure how either would live if the other passes away.