SC Delivers Landmark Judgment: Allow Youth to Die with Dignity

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has allowed passive (or partial) euthanasia for a 32-year-old man who has been in a vegetative state for the last 13 years. Following a request by his parents, the apex court has allowed withdrawal of life support for him.

The apex court has not legalized partial euthanasia but has simplified the legal framework for passive euthanasia to allow patients in a permanent vegetative state or with terminal illnesses to die with dignity. The court appealed to the Centre to introduce a law on passive euthanasia.

In India, euthanasia is allowed only after the Supreme Court studies the opinions of two medical boards on the patient’s condition.

Thirtytwo-year-old Harish Rana, a student of Punjab University, has been in coma since he fell from the fourth floor of a building where he lived in paying guest accommodation, in 2013. Following the tragic fall, he was confined to bed and put on life support, with two tubes — one for respiration and the other for feeding.

The SC bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan said if the family feels there is no difference in the patient’s condition, there is no point in continuing with such treatment and also make the patient suffer.

The court said AIIMS shall grant admission to Rana, who is in palliative care, so that the medical treatment can be withdrawn. The court also said that it must be ensured the life support is withdrawn with a tailored plan so that dignity is maintained.