New Delhi: In a landmark moment in India’s legal and medical history, Harish Rana, the first person in the country to be granted passive euthanasia by a court, passed away on March 24 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
The 31-year-old had been in a vegetative state since 2013 after suffering severe head injuries from a fall while he was a BTech student at Panjab University. For more than a decade, he survived on artificial nutrition and intermittent oxygen support.
Supreme Court allowed passive euthanasia
On March 11, the Supreme Court of India permitted passive euthanasia in Rana’s case, directing doctors to withdraw life support in a phased and medically supervised manner.
The decision was based on extensive medical evaluations and legal considerations, marking a significant development in the country’s approach to end-of-life care.
Medical protocol at AIIMS
Following the court’s directive, Rana was shifted from his Ghaziabad residence to the palliative care unit at AIIMS Delhi’s Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital on March 14.
A multidisciplinary team led by Dr Seema Mishra, head of anaesthesia and palliative medicine, oversaw the process. The team included experts from neurosurgery, onco-anaesthesia, psychiatry and palliative care, reflecting the complexity of the procedure.
Gradual withdrawal of life support
Doctors implemented a carefully planned protocol to gradually withdraw artificial nutritional support while ensuring the patient’s dignity and comfort. The process was carried out under strict medical supervision in accordance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines.
Rana’s condition had been assessed as irreversible, with medical boards confirming negligible chances of recovery.
Legal journey behind the case
The case had a prolonged legal trajectory. Rana’s family initially approached the Delhi High Court in 2024 seeking permission to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, but the plea was rejected.
They subsequently moved the Supreme Court, which evaluated multiple medical reports before delivering its verdict.
The court relied on the landmark Common Cause judgment, which recognises passive euthanasia as part of the right to die with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.
A milestone in end-of-life care
Rana’s case is being viewed as a watershed moment in India’s evolving legal and ethical framework around end-of-life decisions. The Supreme Court also urged the Centre to consider creating a comprehensive legal structure to guide similar cases in the future.
Conclusion
The death of Harish Rana marks the end of a deeply significant case that has shaped discussions on dignity, medical ethics, and legal rights in India. It underscores the need for clear policies and compassionate approaches in handling end-of-life care.