Elderly Mumbai couple seek Euthanasia after having lived a satisfactory life

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.