The Supreme Court has granted permission for passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a 31-year-old man from Ghaziabad who has been in a vegetative state for 13 years due to severe head injuries. Advocate Manish Jain, representing Rana’s family, mentioned that life-sustaining treatment will be withdrawn, allowing Rana to be in a natural state. Rana will continue to receive medical care at AIIMS in New Delhi.
The decision follows exhaustive efforts by Rana’s family over the years to seek treatment, with no signs of improvement in his condition. Doctors have confirmed his irreversible state, leading the family to approach the Supreme Court for permission for passive euthanasia. This ruling marks a significant development as one of the first instances of judicially approved passive euthanasia in India.
The Supreme Court’s decision, made after careful consideration of medical reports and legal frameworks, allows for the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan granted the plea from Rana’s family, directing his admission to the palliative care unit at AIIMS for the supervised process of treatment withdrawal. The medical Board will use clinical judgment following guidelines set in the 2018 Common Cause vs Union of India judgment, recognizing passive euthanasia and the right to die with dignity.
