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Supreme Court Allows Passive Euthanasia for Man in 13-Year Vegetative State

The Supreme Court has permitted passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a 31-year-old man who has been in a permanent vegetative state for nearly 13 years following a severe accident. The court allowed the withdrawal of all life-sustaining tubes and advanced support systems, directing that he be moved to AIIMS's palliative care unit for the process. The ruling is based on the legal framework established in the landmark 2018 Common Cause case, which recognized the right to die with dignity. Advocate Manish Jain stated that while all treatment will be withdrawn, Rana will remain under robust medical care at AIIMS for as long as he lives naturally.

Key Points: SC Allows Passive Euthanasia for Harish Rana

  • Landmark passive euthanasia ruling
  • Withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment
  • Patient in permanent vegetative state for 13 years
  • Follows 2018 right-to-die guidelines
  • Care to continue at AIIMS palliative unit
3 min read

All tubes, advanced life support will be removed: Lawyer explains after SC allows passive euthanasia for Harish Rana

Supreme Court permits withdrawal of life support for Harish Rana, in a permanent vegetative state for 13 years, marking a landmark euthanasia ruling.

"Permission has been granted to let him remain in a natural state, meaning all tubes and advanced life support systems will be removed. - Advocate Manish Jain"

New Delhi, March 11

In a significant decision, the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a 31-year-old man from Ghaziabad who has been in a permanent vegetative state for nearly 13 years after suffering severe head injuries in an accident.

Advocate Manish Jain, representing Rana's family, said the court has granted permission to withdraw life-sustaining treatment and allow him to remain in a natural state.

"Harish Rana's petition has been allowed. Permission has been granted to let him remain in a natural state, meaning all tubes and advanced life support systems will be removed," Jain told IANS.

He added that Rana will continue to remain under medical care at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. "He will remain at AIIMS, which will take robust care of him for as long as he lives," the lawyer said.

Rana has been in a vegetative state since 2013 after falling from the fourth floor while he was a student, resulting in severe head injuries.

Jain also noted that Rana's family had pursued every possible treatment over the years but there had been no recovery. "It has been 13 years. Everything possible was done, but there was no recovery. The Supreme Court has now allowed passive euthanasia so that he can remain in a natural state," he said.

With doctors confirming his condition as irreversible, the family approached the Supreme Court seeking permission for passive euthanasia.

The decision is being viewed as a landmark development and one of the first instances where passive euthanasia has been permitted in India under judicial oversight.

The Supreme Court's ruling came after careful consideration of medical reports and legal guidelines governing end-of-life care.

A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan allowed the plea filed by Rana's family, permitting the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.

The court observed that the medical Board may exercise its clinical judgment in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the apex court in its landmark 2018 judgment in Common Cause vs Union of India, which recognised passive euthanasia and the right to die with dignity.

Allowing the petition, the Justice Pardiwala-led Bench directed that Rana be admitted to the palliative care unit at AIIMS, New Delhi, where the process of withdrawal of medical treatment will be carried out under medical supervision.

"In our considered view, it would be permissible for the medical Board to exercise its clinical judgment regarding the withdrawal of treatment in accordance with the guidelines laid down in Common Cause vs Union of India," the apex court said.

According to medical records, Rana has been in a permanent vegetative state with 100 per cent disability and quadriplegia, requiring continuous medical assistance for breathing, feeding and daily care since the accident nearly 13 years ago.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
A very sensitive and landmark judgment. While our culture emphasizes preserving life at all costs, we must also consider the quality of life and the immense suffering of the family. The court has balanced ethics with empathy.
D
David E
As someone who has seen a relative in a similar state, I understand the financial and emotional drain. The Indian medical system isn't built for such long-term, high-dependency care. This ruling provides a legal pathway for others in this agonizing situation.
A
Anjali F
My heart goes out to the Rana family. They tried everything for over a decade. Letting go is perhaps the hardest act of love. I'm glad the Supreme Court has clear guidelines now—this will prevent misuse and ensure such decisions are taken with utmost care.
S
Suresh O
While I respect the court's decision, we must be very cautious. This sets a precedent. We need robust safeguards to ensure this isn't misused by families who see a patient as a burden. The oversight by AIIMS is crucial.
K
Kavya N
It's a progressive step for India. The right to die with dignity is a fundamental right. 13 years in a vegetative state is no life. The family's courage to approach the court and the court's humane verdict should be appreciated.

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