Andhra parents seek mercy killing for 8-month-old with liver ailment

A poor couple in Andhra Pradesh approached a court seeking permission to kill their eight-month-old daughter because they can’t afford a liver transplant that is needed for the child suffering from a congenital liver disease.

A poor couple in Andhra Pradesh approached a court seeking permission to kill their eight-month-old daughter because they can’t afford a liver transplant that is needed for the child suffering from a congenital liver disease.

Ramanappa and Saraswati, agricultural labourers froka village in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittor district, have approached a court to allow them to kill their 8-month-old daughter because they cannot afford a medical procedure needed for the child.(HT Photo)

Ramanappa and Saraswati are agricultural labourers who live in the RS Kothapalli village in Chittoor district. They approached the Tamballapalle civil court asking for permission to kill their daughter, Gnana Sai, through passive euthanasia.

But junior civil judge Vasudev refused to admit their petition, saying he had no powers to decide on mercy killing and asked them to approach either the Chittoor district court or the high court.

Ramanappa told local media that Gnana Sai was suffering from a congenital liver disease and was treated for five months in Bengaluru and underwent an operation, but to no avail.

Doctors recommended a liver transplant within two months, he said. “We spent `5 lakh on her so far and now, we are penniless,” he said.

The father said he was ready to donate his liver to his daughter but added he didn’t have the `30 lakh needed for the operation.

“Besides, doctors said both the donor and girl have to take medicines worth `30,000 per month regularly. We went from pillar to post to mobilise money, but could not,” Ramanappa said.

Tamballapalli legislator G Shankar Yadav, who came to know about Sai’s plight through local television channels, assured all help.

“I will bring it to the notice of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and see that the government will bear the expenses for Sai’s treatment,” he said.