Euthanasia Case
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- Context: The Supreme Court of India has allowed passive euthanasia.
- Harish Rana was in a coma for 13 years, so his parents filed a petition seeking permission for euthanasia.
- The Supreme Court of India, a bench of Justices J.P. Parthiwala and K.V. Viswanathan, allowed the removal of life-sustaining devices based on the recommendation of a medical committee.
- The constitutional basis for passive euthanasia in India is found in Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
- It guarantees the ‘right to life and personal liberty’. The Supreme Court has interpreted this right to include not just survival but also living with dignity.
Chief Election Commissioner Removal
- Context: Opposition parties are considering moving a motion to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from office.
- As per Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) can be removed from office only on the basis of the procedure and reasons used for the removal of a Supreme Court judge.
Process for removal of Chief Election Commissioner
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- A resolution seeking removal can be introduced in either House of Parliament.
- The resolution requires the support of at least 100 members in the Lok Sabha or at least 50 members in the Rajya Sabha.
- Once the resolution is passed, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha will constitute an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations.
- If the inquiry committee confirms the allegations, the resolution will be put to a vote in Parliament.
The resolution must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting in both the Houses. After both houses approve
