On Thursday, the Supreme Court indicated that it is approaching a decisive stage in a sensitive plea seeking Passive Euthanasia for a 32-year-old man who has remained in a vegetative state for over a decade, observing that the medical assessment placed before it presents a “very sad” picture. While considering the request to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, the Court stated that it would first interact personally with the parents before passing final orders in the matter.
The case arose from a miscellaneous application filed by the father of the man, who has been in a vegetative state for the last 12 years following a fall from a building. The application seeks permission to withdraw all life-sustaining treatment. The matter is being heard by the Division Bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan.
In line with the procedure prescribed in the Constitution Bench decision in Common Cause, as modified by a subsequent order in January 2023, the Court directed the constitution of medical boards to assess the patient’s condition. The Primary Medical Board reported that the chances of recovery were negligible, noting that the patient was confined to bed with a tracheostomy tube for respiration and a gastrostomy tube for feeding, and had developed severe bed sores. Thereafter, the Court directed that the patient be examined by a Secondary Medical Board constituted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the Court that the report of the Secondary Medical Board constituted by AIIMS had been received. At the same time, it was pointed out that copies of the report had not yet been furnished to the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Rashmi Nandakumar, or to the ASG herself. The ASG further submitted that before any final decision is taken on the request for passive euthanasia, consultation with the family members would be necessary, given the nature of the relief sought.
After perusing the AIIMS report, Justice Pardiwala remarked that it was a “very sad” report and observed that “the boy can’t continue to live like this.” The Bench informed the counsels that the matter had reached a stage where a final determination would have to be made and sought detailed assistance from both sides.
The Court stated, “We have reached a stage wherein we will have to take a final call. So your thorough assistance will be required.” It added that the Registry would supply copies of the report to the counsels and observed, “It’s a very sad report and it will be a big challenge for us also but we can’t keep the boy like this for all time to come.” Agreeing with the submission that family consultation was essential, the Court said it would prefer to meet the parents in person rather than interact online, given the gravity of the issue.
The Court directed, “In pursuance of our last order dated 11 December, a secondary medical board was constituted by the AIIMS, New Delhi. The team of doctors medically examined the patient, and a report has been forwarded on 16 December 2025.” The Court directed the Registry to furnish copies of the report to both counsels and requested them “to look into the report and study the same and assist us in the report.”
The Court further ordered, “We request them to jointly speak to the parents and other family members of Harish Rana and give us a report in that regard. We would also like to personally speak to the parents of Harish Rana.” For this purpose, the Court directed the parents to remain present before it on January 13 at 3 pm in the Committee Room, and asked the counsels to submit their written submissions to enable the Court to proceed with passing the final order.
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