The Supreme Court of India has allowed passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a man who has been in an unconscious and bedridden condition for the past 13 years. Harish Rana fell from the fourth floor of his college building in Mohali, Uttar Pradesh, in 2013 and has remained without consciousness since then. His father, Ashok Rana, approached the court requesting permission for passive euthanasia because he could no longer bear to see his son suffering and also lacked the financial resources for long-term medical care.
A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan reviewed a medical report from AIIMS Delhi, which stated that Harish Rana had severe bed sores and very little chance of recovery. After considering the report, the court permitted doctors to withdraw life-support treatment in a dignified manner. The court directed that Harish Rana be moved to AIIMS, where doctors will follow proper medical procedures before stopping life-sustaining treatment. The judges also appreciated the parents for taking care of their son for 13 years and urged the central government to bring clear laws and nationwide guidelines on euthanasia to handle similar cases in the future. The case is considered one of the first instances in India where passive euthanasia has been formally allowed through this process.
