The Supreme Court refers the issue of legalising euthanasia to its Constitution bench. The SC raises questions on the Aruna Shanbaug case which allows passive euthanasia.

In 2011, the Supreme Court allowed passive euthanasia under exceptional circumstances.

Passive euthanasia is usually defined as withdrawing medical treatment with the deliberate intention of causing the patients death. For example, if a patient requires kidney dialysis to survive, the doctors disconnect the dialysis machine, allowing the patient to die soon.

This form of euthanasia is different from active euthanasia, or simply euthanasia, where the death is caused by the use of lethal substances.

It is widely considered to be criminal homicide, but voluntary passive euthanasia is considered non-criminal in several countries.