Ask Onix
Supreme Court permits withdrawal of life support for vegetative patient
India's highest court has authorized the removal of life-sustaining treatment for Harish Rana, a 31-year-old man who has been in a vegetative state for over a decade. This marks the first instance of court-sanctioned passive euthanasia in the country since its legalization in 2018.
Background of the case
Rana sustained severe head injuries in 2013 after falling from a fourth-floor balcony while studying engineering at Punjab University in Chandigarh. Since the accident, he has remained comatose, relying on a tracheostomy tube for breathing and a gastrostomy tube for nutrition. His parents stated he cannot speak, see, hear, or recognize anyone.
Family's decade-long legal battle
Rana's parents, Ashok and [mother's name not provided], petitioned courts multiple times to withdraw life support, citing financial and emotional exhaustion. They expressed concerns about their son's future care after their deaths. In 2024, the Delhi High Court rejected their plea, stating Rana was not on life-support machines and could sustain himself without external aid.
A subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court in 2025 was reconsidered after two medical boards assessed Rana's condition. Both boards concluded he had negligible chances of recovery, permanent brain damage, and required external assistance for basic functions, including feeding and mobility.
Court's ruling and ethical debate
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court acknowledged Rana's lack of response to treatment, noting he exhibits sleep-wake cycles but no meaningful interaction. The judges stated he has been entirely dependent on others for self-care, paving the way for medical boards to exercise clinical judgment on withdrawing treatment.
"This is a difficult decision for our family, but we are doing what's best for Harish."
Ashok Rana, Harish Rana's father
The ruling has reignited discussions on passive euthanasia's ethical implications in India, particularly regarding self-determination. Unlike Rana, individuals with a living will-a legal document specifying medical preferences in terminal conditions-can preemptively outline their care wishes. Rana's inability to consent due to his vegetative state added complexity to the case.
Legal framework and next steps
Under India's 2018 passive euthanasia law, two medical boards must certify a patient meets criteria for life-support withdrawal. The Supreme Court's order empowers these boards to proceed with Rana's case, though no timeline for the withdrawal has been specified.
