Harish Rana, the first individual in India granted permission for passive euthanasia, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Rana, aged 31, had been in a vegetative state since 2013 due to a severe head injury. He was moved to AIIMS on March 14 for withdrawal of life support as per court guidelines.
On March 11, the Supreme Court permitted passive euthanasia for Rana, allowing the withdrawal of life support under strict medical supervision. The court’s decision was based on the 2018 judgment in Common Cause vs Union of India, which recognized the legality of passive euthanasia and living wills.
Rana’s family had filed a plea seeking passive euthanasia, citing his irreversible condition with minimal chances of recovery. Medical assessments confirmed his dependency on life support for respiration and nutrition. The case originated from a petition by Rana’s parents to the Delhi High Court, which was later escalated to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court’s judgment allowing passive euthanasia marked a significant development in India’s legal and ethical considerations on end-of-life care. Rana’s passing signifies the end of a prolonged legal and medical battle for his family, shedding light on the complexities surrounding passive euthanasia in the country.
