The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed passive euthanasia for 31-year-old Harish Rana, who has been in a vegetative state for almost 12 years after a severe head injury in 2013. The decision was made by the court to pull the plug on artificial life support that has been keeping him alive since the accident occurred in 2013.
Family’s plea after years of medical struggle
Harish Rana suffered critical brain injuries in 2013 after falling from the fourth floor of a building, leaving him in a permanent vegetative state without any signs of neurological recovery. His life has been maintained by artificial medical support since then.
For over a decade of treatment, there has been no recovery for Harish Rana, and there is a question of whether there is any potential for recovery. Harish Rana’s father sought a decision from the Supreme Court to perform a passive euthanasia, which stated that Harish’s condition has been in a vegetative state for almost 12 years, which is medically irreversible.
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During the hearing, the court stressed that such decisions carry immense gravity and cannot be taken lightly. It emphasised that the family must arrive at a "consistent and well-considered" decision before life support is withdrawn.
What the Supreme Court said
Allowing the plea, the Supreme Court permitted passive euthanasia for Harish Rana in accordance with legal safeguards and recognised medical procedures.
The court clarified that the withdrawal of life support must follow the framework already laid down under Indian law for such cases. It also reiterated that the role of the patient’s family remains central in decisions involving end-of-life care, particularly when the patient is unable to communicate.
The order adds to India’s evolving legal position on passive euthanasia, where courts have repeatedly attempted to balance the right to life, dignity, medical ethics and family consent.
What is passive euthanasia?
Passive euthanasia refers to allowing a patient to die naturally by withdrawing or withholding medical treatment and interventions that sustain life artificially. This includes withdrawing ventilatory assistance, nutritional support, and other life-sustaining treatments since there is little chance of recovery.
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This is unlike active euthanasia since no medication is administered to cause death. Instead, the illness is allowed to run its natural course after withdrawing artificial assistance.
Active euthanasia, which is intentionally acting to kill another person, is still illegal in India.
Under current laws, passive euthanasia can be allowed in rare circumstances such as irreversible coma, terminal illness, and permanent vegetative state, after thorough medical evaluation and assessment and taking into account the wishes of the family.
