Ram Lakhan, 50, a resident of Paura village in Chandauli district, about 270 km from here, has submitted the application to the district authorities.
“In his application Lakhan has stated that he and his wife, who is bedridden for the last two years, should be killed by the authorities,” sub-divisional magistrate Satyendra Nath Shukla told IANS Friday on phone from Chandauli.
Lakhan said he has exhausted all his resources getting medical treatment of his 44-year-old wife Shyama Devi, who fractured her spine two years ago in an accident.
Now, the couple, abandoned by their four sons, struggle to feed themselves and want the authorities to kill them, he said.
Following the mercy killing petition submitted by Lakhan, the district authorities have decided to approach chief minister Mayawati to help the couple.
“We will today (Friday) write a letter to Mayawati to assist the couple by providing funds from the chief minister’s relief fund. We will ask for around Rs. 80,000 for helping the couple,” said Shukla.