Bedridden & Paralysed, Odisha Man Appeals For Euthanasia

Bhubaneswar: Bedridden following a spinal injury six years ago and with no money for treatment, a man in Kalahandi district has appealed to the President of India, Prime Minister, Odisha’s Chief Minister and Governor, among others, for euthanasia.

Anil Kapur Sikha (30), of Chikili village under Bhawanipatna block in Kalahandi district, wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Orissa High Court Chief Justice S Muralidhar on November 18, praying for euthanasia.

“My family spent everything in the last six years on my treatment. Now we are struggling for two square meals a day. It’s very difficult to meet the medical expenses without government assistance,” he said.

Anil’s parents are daily-wage labourers and the family is under severe financial crunch.

Anil met with an accident in 2015 while riding a motorcycle that left him paralysed. His brother Raj said, “We have spent more than Rs 12 lakh on his treatment by mortgaging land and gold ornaments.”

“We tried our best to reach out to several organisations and offices, but no one helped us,” Anil’s father Jaduban Shikha said.