MP HC Seeks Response in 3-Year-Old's 'Santhara' Death Case
By : Krishna Mishra
Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday sought response from the parents and the government on a Public Interest Litigation about the death of a three-year-old girl suffering from brain tumor after she was made to undergo the 'Santhara' ritual.
A bench of Justices Vivek Rusia and Binod Kumar Dwivedi of the Indore bench issued notices to the Union government, state government and the National Human Rights Commission besides the parents, and asked them to file replies within four weeks.
The next hearing on the PIL is likely to be held on August 25.
The petition filed by city-based activist Pranshu Jain (23) said children and mentally ill persons should not be allowed to take the Santhara vow, as it violates their constitutional right to life and personal liberty.
'Santhara' is an ancient Jain practice where a person voluntarily decides to end life by giving up food, water, medicines and necessities.
Jain's lawyer Shubham Sharma told PTI that his plea contends that before starting the Santhara process, the person's consent is required.
In the present case, an innocent three-year-old girl suffering from brain tumor was allegedly forced take the vow of Santhara, resulting in her death, he said.
After her death, in response to an application made by her parents, the Golden Book of World Records issued a certificate, stating she was the youngest person in the world to take the Santhara vow," the lawyer said.