Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug (1 June 1948 – 18 May 2015) was an Indian nurse who was at the center of attention in a court case on euthanasia after spending 42[1] years in a coma after being raped and strangled.
Early life
Shanbaug was born in 1948 at Haldipur, Uttar Kannada, Karnataka.[2][3][4] She worked as a nurse at the King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEM) in Mumbai. At the time of the attack, she was engaged to a doctor at the same hospital.[5]
Attack
In 1973, while working as a junior nurse at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Shanbaug was anally raped then strangled by a ward boy, Sohanlal Bhartha Walmiki. She remained in a vegetative state following the assault.[6]
Court case
On 24 January 2011, after she had been in this state for 37 years, the Supreme Court of India responded to the plea for euthanasia filed by Aruna's friend, journalist Pinki Virani, by setting up medical experts to test her.
The court rejected the petition on 7 March 2011. However, in its landmark opinion, it allowed passive euthanasia in India.[7]
Death
Shanbaug died from pneumonia on 18 May 2015 after being in a persistent vegetative state for nearly 42 years.[8][9][10]
References
- ↑ India rape nurse dies after 42 years(18 May 2015).
- ↑ KEM nurses, dean celebrate Aruna Shanbaug’s birthday.
- ↑ KEM Hospital celebrates Aruna Shanbaug's 64th birthday.
- ↑ KEM celebrates Aruna Shanbaug's 65th birthday.
- ↑ Rebirth for Aruna, say joyous Mumbai hospital staff. Deccan Herald(March 7, 2011).
- ↑ Ten Minutes To Hell.
- ↑ India joins select nations in legalising "passive euthanasia"(7 March 2011).
- ↑ Aruna Shanbaug: Brain-damaged India nurse dies 42 years after rape.
- ↑ Raped Indian nurse dies after 42 years in coma.
- ↑ 1973 Sexual Assault Victim Aruna Shanbaug passes away in Mumbai(18 May 2015).
External links
- Never Ending Trauma Of Innocent Aruna!! Template:Webarchive
- Court ruling, Aruna Shanbaug vs. Union of India, March 7, 2011 at Supreme Court of India
- Pinki Virani's Interview - June 13, 2008 Template:Webarchive
- India court admits plea to end life of rape victim. BBC News(17 December 2009).
- Aruna Shanbaug case: Supreme Court rejects euthanasia plea. NDTV(March 7, 2011).