UK House of Commons approves bill to legalise assisted dying
London: The UK Parliament's House of Commons has voted in favour of legalising assisted dying, marking a significant step in the nation’s approach to end-of-life care. The bill, introduced by Kim Leadbeater, was passed with 330 votes to 275 following an extensive debate.
The proposed law allows terminally ill individuals with less than six months to live to opt for assisted dying, provided they are capable of making the decision independently. The process requires approval from two doctors and a High Court judge to ensure strict safeguards.
While the House of Lords and parliamentary committees must still review the legislation, the vote is seen as a critical milestone in the years-long campaign for assisted dying. If enacted, the UK will join countries like Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and several US states that have already legalised the practice.
The bill has sparked widespread debate, dividing lawmakers and the public. Proponents argue it ensures dignity for terminally ill patients, alleviating suffering and easing the burden on palliative care services. Esther Rantzen, a BBC presenter battling advanced lung cancer, urged Parliament to act, emphasising that the current law leaves patients with limited choices.
However, opponents have raised concerns about the adequacy of safeguards and potential pressure on patients to avoid being a burden to their families. Labour MP Rachael Maskell criticised the timing, citing the underfunded state of the National Health Service (NHS) and the need to prioritise improvements in palliative care.
The legislation aligns with the "Oregon model," which limits assisted dying to terminal illnesses, contrasting with broader laws in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Canada. Assisted death remains a criminal offence in England and Wales, with penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment.
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Three company directors held in Rs 100-crore investment fraud in Kochi
Kochi (Kerala) (PTI): Police on Sunday arrested three directors of a firm accused of cheating hundreds of investors of over Rs 100 crore through a fake investment scheme linked to agricultural tourism here, officials said.
The accused were identified as Muraleedharan, Ashik Murali and Akhil Murali, all natives of Thrissur.
The arrests were made by the Kalamassery police in connection with a fraud involving ATCOS (Agri Tourism Cooperative Society), a firm headquartered at Pathadipalam here.
Police said the company had promised high returns by collecting investments from the public in the agricultural tourism sector, but allegedly cheated hundreds of people and fled with the money.
ATCOS was registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act and operated 13 branches across various districts in Kerala, besides a branch in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, officials said.
When investors failed to receive their promised returns or the invested amount, complaints were filed with the police.
Officials said around 54 cases have been registered against the firm in 32 police stations across the state, including 29 cases at the Kalamassery police station alone.
Following instructions from Kochi City Police Commissioner K S Mahesh Kumar, a special investigation team was formed under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shehensha and Thrikkakara ACP Manoj Kumar.
The team traced the accused to an apartment in Amala Nagar in Thrissur, where they had been hiding after secretly renting the flat, officials said.
The bank accounts of the accused have been frozen, and steps have been initiated to trace their assets, officials said.
Police also conducted a raid at the company’s office at Pathadipalam and seized several documents related to the case.
The accused were produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kalamassery, which remanded them to judicial custody and sent them to Kakkanad jail.
Police said they would seek the custody of the accused for further interrogation as the investigation continues.
