Supreme Court Grants India's First Passive Euthanasia In Historic Right-To-Die Verdict For 32-Year-Old Man

The Supreme Court today delivered India's first passive euthanasia verdict, allowing the withdrawal of life support for 32-year-old Harish Rana, who has remained in a permanent vegetative state since falling from a fourth-floor building in 2013.

The historic ruling implements guidelines laid down in the 2018 Common Cause judgement for the first time in an individual case.

A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to admit Rana to its palliative care centre, where clinically administered nutrition will be gradually withdrawn.

The court waived the mandatory 30-day reconsideration period and emphasised that the process must preserve his dignity throughout.

The verdict settled a critical legal question by ruling that feeding tubes constitute medical treatment rather than basic care, enabling their withdrawal under passive euthanasia guidelines.

Medical boards from AIIMS had reported zero chances of improvement for the Ghaziabad resident, who has been dependent on tube feeding with 100 per cent disability and quadriplegia.

The family's long legal battle began after the Delhi High Court rejected their plea in July 2024, stating Rana was not on mechanical ventilation.

His parents, who sold their house to fund his decade-long care, approached the apex court seeking permission for a dignified end. The bench praised the family's unwavering devotion whilst acknowledging the difficult decision.

The judgement also recommended comprehensive legislation on end-of-life care and directed chief medical officers nationwide to maintain panels of practitioners for future medical boards examining such requests.

Please click here to add Swarajya as your preferred and trusted news source on Google