New Delhi/IBNS, March 11 -- In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday permitted the withdrawal of life support for a 32-year-old man who has remained in a vegetative state for 13 years following an accident.

Acting on the plea of his parents, the court allowed the removal of life-sustaining treatment and simultaneously urged the Union government to consider enacting a comprehensive law governing passive euthanasia.

The judgment marks the first known instance in India where a court has directly authorised passive euthanasia, which means allowing a patient to die naturally by withholding or withdrawing medical treatment that sustains life.

A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan delivered...