EUTHANASIA: SOCIO- LEGAL AND ETHICAL ENIGMA

Abstract

This study examines euthanasia as a multi-dimensional socio-legal and ethical phenomenon, situated at the intersection of constitutional morality and human vulnerability. Utilizing a normative research methodology, the paper traces the jurisprudential evolution in India—from the initial judicial emphasis on the sanctity of life to the landmark recognition of the "Right to Die with Dignity" as an inseparable facet of the Right to Life under Article 21. The analysis synthesizes three core pillars: ethical theories, legal frameworks, and social determinants. A central theme of the research is the "relational conception of autonomy," which argues that individual end-of-life choices are inextricably linked to structural conditions such as access to quality palliative care and economic security. The paper concludes that while the judicial recognition of passive euthanasia and advance medical directives is a progressive step toward individual agency, it must be balanced with robust social safeguards. Ultimately, the study proposes a cautious, context-sensitive framework that harmonizes individual dignity with the state’s obligation to protect its most vulnerable populations from systemic coercion.