The Supreme Court is set to decide whether Harish Rana, who has been in a vegetative state for 13 years, should be allowed to undergo euthanasia. The case, which has raised profound ethical and legal questions, will see the court hear from Rana’s parents on January 13 before taking a final decision.
COURT PREPARES FOR FINAL DECISION
A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Vishwanathan heard the matter and indicated that the time has come to make a decisive ruling. The court directed that counsel Rashmi Nandakumar and Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati study the report of a secondary medical board from AIIMS, New Delhi, which examined the patient in detail. The report contains Harish Rana’s medical history, neurological assessment, diagnostic findings and other relevant observations.
The bench told counsel that their assistance would be required in examining the family and presenting their findings to the court. “It is a very sad report and it will be a big challenge for us, but we cannot keep the boy like this for all time to come,” the court said.
FAMILY CONSULTATION SCHEDULED
Rana’s parents and siblings have been summoned to appear before the court on January 13 for discussions in chamber. The court will hear from them directly before making a decision on whether to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, in accordance with the procedure laid down for passive euthanasia in India.
PROCEDURE FOR PASSIVE EUTHANASIA
Under existing guidelines, both the primary and secondary medical boards must agree to the withdrawal of medical and life-support treatment for passive euthanasia to proceed. The Supreme Court has emphasised that the final decision will be informed by medical assessments and the expressed wishes of the patient’s family through their counsel.
CASE BACKGROUND
Harish Rana sustained severe head injuries in 2013 after falling from a fourth-floor balcony while pursuing his engineering studies in Chandigarh. Since then, he has remained in a vegetative state. Despite extensive treatment at PGI Chandigarh, AIIMS Delhi, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital and Fortis Hospital, no improvement was recorded.
The family has cared for him at home for years, including hiring a nurse when possible. However, the prolonged medical care imposed a heavy financial and emotional burden on the household. Past petitions for euthanasia were rejected by the Supreme Court in 2018 and 2023. This third petition follows a fresh medical report confirming no hope of recovery.
– Ends
Published By:
Sonali Verma
Published On:
Dec 20, 2025
Tune In
