Historic Supreme Court Ruling: Passive Euthanasia Permitted for Comatose Patient

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has authorized passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a 32-year-old man from Ghaziabad who has been in a coma since 2013. This ruling facilitates the withdrawal of life support, aligning with the court's modified 2018 guidelines.

A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan urged the Union government to consider formal legislation on the matter. The ruling stressed that Rana's withdrawal from life support should be executed in a manner preserving dignity, with AIIMS-Delhi tasked with overseeing the process.

This decision follows the noteworthy 2018 Common Cause judgment, upheld and modified earlier this year, affirming passive euthanasia as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The court expressed appreciation for Rana's family, recognizing their unwavering support and love.