Andhra: Mother seeks euthanasia for engineer-son

Poverty coupled with helplessness has forced an elderly woman in Andhra Pradesh to file a petition in a court seeking euthanasia for her 36-year-old son, who became invalid after an accident 15 years ago.

K Lakshmamma (64), mother of an aeronautical engineer, filed the petition a couple of days ago at Madanapalle in Chittoor district seeking permission to put an end to her son's life. The Judge posted her case for March 3.

K Janardhan, a resident of Danduvaripalle in Madanapalle mandal, studied aeronautical engineering in Bangalore and secured placement in an Australian firm in 1997.

In a tragic twist of fate, he was knocked down by a speeding lorry while he was going to Bangalore to have his visa application processed. The accident left him in coma for five years and he recovered partially later.

Lakshmamma has been taking care of her son ever since her husband K Ramachandraiah died of the trauma in 2001. After doctors ruled out chances of recovery of her ailing son, the shaken mother finally knocked the doors of the judiciary.

The court in the sleepy town was taken by surprise when she asked Second Additional District Magistrate Suma Latha to give her and her son permission to die. Pushed to penury and misery, Lakshmamma sought permission for mercy killing of her son, who is in a vegetative state.

Vinay Chand, Sub-Collector of Madanapalle, said they are trying to ascertain how to extend help to the family.

"We are trying to help the family. They received government help in the past also. At present, the mother and son are out of station and once they are back we will meet them and find out ways to help the family," Chand told PTI.

The Court issued notices to District Collector, AP Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (a Government agency) and local hospital superintendent asking them why they should not extend medical support to Janardhan.