The Hindu : Front Page : Man wants to end son's agony

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 17, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Man wants to end son's agony

K. Raju

Realising that his son's chances of survival are slim, Muthu Pandi thought euthanasia was the best option

DINDIGUL: He loves his son, but he wants him dead. The father of a 15-year-old boy who is suffering from thrombosis, anaemia and haemophilia has filed a "mercy killing petition" with the District Court in Dindigul. The Fast Track Court Judge, S. Manoharan, received the petition and advised the District Legal Services Authority to forward it to the District Social Welfare Department for further action and necessary help.

The petitioner, M. Muthu Pandi, a carpentry worker residing in Chitharevu village in Dindigul district, pleaded for euthanasia to end the agony of his son, Suriya Prabakaran, a Class X student of the Government Higher Secondary School in Chitharevu. For the last ten years, Prabakaran has been suffering from haemophilia. Medical reports of various hospitals in Madurai and Bangalore state that he suffers from mucosal bleeding, where blood continues to flow after a cut or injury without clotting. Periodical blood transfusion, a highly expensive treatment, is necessary for survival.

Muthu Pandi knocked at the doors of several government departments and non-governmental organisations. He sent petitions to the Chief Minister's Grievances Cell and the office of the President of India. He also approached political leaders and affluent people for help. Unfortunately, he got little help.

Realising that his son's chances of survival are slim, Muthu Pandi thought euthanasia was the best option. The law was a hurdle, and he decided to move the court. The petition was drafted by Prabakaran himself. Prabakaran's mother had died of haematosis.

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