Supreme Court Grants Passive Euthanasia for Comatose Patient

The Supreme Court permitted passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a comatose man for over a decade, by withdrawing life support. This decision followed medical board assessments indicating negligible chances of recovery, emphasizing the need for maintaining dignity during the procedure.

The Supreme Court of India has taken a significant step by allowing passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a 31-year-old comatose man who sustained head injuries in 2013. The court approved the withdrawal of life support following comprehensive medical board evaluations.

A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan instructed AIIMS to facilitate Rana's transition to palliative care, ensuring that life support withdrawal is conducted with dignity and a detailed plan.

Medical reports underscored Rana's dire condition with little hope of recovery, prompting the court's decision. The case underscores the importance of adhering to the Supreme Court's 2023 guidelines for passive euthanasia, mandating expert opinions from primary and secondary medical boards.

(With inputs from agencies.)