New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has granted permission for passive euthanasia for a 31-year-old man from Ghaziabad, who has been in a persistent vegetative state for almost 13 years after suffering traumatic head injuries from a fall while studying on the fourth floor.

A Bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan approved the cessation of life-sustaining treatment for Harish Rana, stating that the medical Board may utilize its clinical discretion in line with the principles established by the Supreme Court in its pivotal 2018 judgment in the case of Common Cause vs. Union of India.

Upon the request from his family, the Bench instructed that Rana be moved to the palliative care unit at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, for the implementation of the treatment withdrawal process.

“We believe it is appropriate for the medical Board to exercise its clinical discretion regarding the cessation of treatment as per the guidelines from Common Cause vs. Union of India,” the Supreme Court remarked.

Rana has been in a permanent vegetative state with total disability and quadriplegia, requiring constant medical care for breathing, feeding, and daily assistance.

Previously, the Supreme Court had ordered the formation of a Primary Medical Board to evaluate if the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment was a viable option.

A team of medical professionals who examined Rana at his home indicated that he was bedridden with a tracheostomy tube for respiration and a gastrostomy tube for nutrition, with minimal prospects for recovery.

Following this, the Supreme Court also directed AIIMS to set up a Secondary Medical Board to independently assess his condition.

This case began with a petition from Rana’s parents submitted to the Delhi High Court, seeking to establish a medical Board to consider the option of passive euthanasia.

The Delhi High Court had rejected the petition, stating that active euthanasia is prohibited by Indian law.

Upon reaching the Supreme Court in August 2024, the court issued a notice to the Union government and considered the possibility of a compassionate resolution, acknowledging the struggles faced by the parents in caring for their son who had been in a vegetative state for over a decade.

In November 2024, the Supreme Court concluded the case after documenting the government’s plan to provide home-based medical support, including physiotherapy, nursing care, dietary advice, and free medications.

However, the family was permitted to return to court if further guidance was needed.

Subsequently, the parents approached the Supreme Court again, asserting that Rana’s health had worsened and that there had been no improvement despite years of treatment. After considering the parties involved and reviewing written arguments, the Bench led by Justice Pardiwala reserved its decision on January 15 of this year.