The apex court bench of Justices Markandey Katju and Gyan Sudha Misra said there was no law in the country that permits mercy killing and it could not involve itself in judicial murder.
It appointed a three-doctor independent team to examine the patient and report back to the court.
The court said it will take a final call after receiving the report from the doctors.
The court appointed senior counsel T.R. Andhyarujina as amicus curiae to assist the court and issued notice to Attorney General G. Vahanvati on the plea of mercy killing by the petitioner