Delhi HC Empowers Wife to Make Life-Changing Decisions for Comatose Husband
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The Delhi High Court has taken a historic step by appointing a comatose man's wife as his legal guardian, granting her the authority to make crucial decisions on his behalf. The court invoked its 'parens patriae' jurisdiction, allowing the wife to manage her husband's estate, finances, and medical requirements. According to the court's order, the husband has been in a vegetative state since February last year due to an intracranial haemorrhage. The wife petitioned for guardianship, citing her husband's inability to make independent decisions. The court found that the husband's children had no objections to their mother's appointment as guardian. Medical reports confirmed that the husband is 100% disabled, and a sub-divisional magistrate's report supported the wife's claims. The Delhi High Court has previously invoked its parens patriae jurisdiction in similar cases, citing a 2023 verdict that established a precedent for appointing a legal guardian in such situations. With her new role, the wife will have the authority to make decisions on her husband's medical treatment, daily expenditures, finances, and asset management. She will also be able to deal with her husband's movable and immovable assets to cover his medical and daily expenses. The court's decision aims to ensure the welfare of the comatose man and provide his wife with the necessary support to care for him. This development highlights the importance of the parens patriae doctrine in exceptional cases where individuals require special care and protection.
