Amaravati, Oct 10 (TIWN) A couple have moved a court in Andhra Pradesh seeking permission for mercy killing of their one-year-old daughter as they are unable to afford her treatment costs.

Ramanappa, a worker in a grocery store, and his wife Saraswati filed the petition in the court of junior civil judge at Tamballapalle urging it to grant permission for passive euthanasia of their daughter Gnana Sai, who has been suffering from a congenital liver problem. The parents, who live in a small house near Bathalapuram railway gate in Nuthalacheruvu mandal, pleaded that the court should direct the state government to bear the medical expenses of Gnana Sai or allow her mercy-killing as they are not in a position to foot the medical bill. The little girl has been diagnosed as suffering from a rare congenital condition. She requires liver transplant, which doctors said will cost about Rs 50 lakh. Doctors said the girl needed immediate medical treatment as any delay will complicate her health condition.

“A local doctor diagnosed it as a liver complication and treated the baby. But there was no improvement in her health. We have spent all the money we have. We borrowed money from friends and relatives. We are left with no money now,” Ramanappa told local media outside the court. He said he took the baby to a corporate hospital in Bangalore where doctors said she needed liver transplant to rectify the congenital defect. “The entire procedure costs more than Rs 50 lakh. Moreover, the child has to be on medication for at least six years. The monthly medical bill alone comes to about Rs 50,000,” Ramanappa said even as Gnana Sai kept on crying apparently due to pain.