The Supreme Court of India authorised passive euthanasia for 32-year-old Harish Rana, who remained in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) for 13 years after an accident in 2013. Best Book for Current Affairs & General Knowledge Preparation
Rana suffered severe head injuries after falling from a balcony in 2013. Since then, he remained in a persistent vegetative state with 100% quadriplegia for more than 13 years.
His father approached the Delhi High Court in 2024 seeking permission to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, but the plea was rejected.
The family later approached the Supreme Court of India for relief under the country’s passive euthanasia framework.
Supreme Court Decision
A bench comprising Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice K. V. Viswanathan constituted two medical boards to examine Rana’s medical condition.
The boards concluded that the chances of recovery were negligible. Based on these findings, the Court permitted the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.
This ruling marks the first practical application of India’s passive euthanasia framework developed through earlier Supreme Court judgments.
Euthanasia: Meaning
Euthanasia refers to the deliberate act of ending the life of a person suffering from an incurable disease or irreversible condition to relieve pain and suffering.
Euthanasia can only be administered by a physician and may be classified into active euthanasia and passive euthanasia.
Active Euthanasia
Active euthanasia involves directly causing a patient’s death through deliberate medical intervention, such as administering a lethal injection.
This form of euthanasia is illegal in India and may amount to culpable homicide or abetment to suicide under criminal law.
Passive Euthanasia
Passive euthanasia involves withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment, including ventilators, artificial nutrition, or other medical support.
In such cases, death occurs naturally due to the underlying illness rather than direct medical action.
Under strict safeguards laid down by the Supreme Court of India, passive euthanasia is legally permitted in India.
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