On Monday, the Supreme Court will decide on a plea filed by a 17-year-old boy seeking permission to donate his liver to save his father’s life. A bench of Justices comprising Mr. Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Mr. Abhay S Oka will decide the case in the presence of a senior official from the health department of the Uttar Pradesh government. On September 9, Chief Justice Lalit granted an urgent hearing considering the urgency of the case, and in the meantime, the court asked the petitioner to go ahead with the necessary medical tests needed before the transplantation.

The minor approached the apex court after his representation to the health secretary of the Uttar Pradesh government remained unaddressed as his father was critically ill and running out of time. The counsel submitted documents stating that the father is in urgent need of an organ transplant and that the petitioner (son) is willing to donate his liver.

On the other hand, the bench of justice in the apex court has stated that in terms of the statute governing the issue, the donor has to be a major. They added that the Registry should independently send an appropriate communication to the learned standing counsel as well as the Health Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Government, Lucknow. An officer from the health department for the state of UP should be present on Monday when the matter is taken up by the bench.