A bench comprising Justices J. B. Pardiwala and K. V. Viswanathan pronounced the verdict.
The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday allowed the withdrawal of life support for 32-year-old Harish Rana, who has been in a vegetative state for the past 13 years, marking the country’s first passive euthanasia case.
Rana has remained in the state for the last 13 years with negligible hope of recovery, according to reports and news agency ANI.
The Supreme Court directed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to admit Rana and provide all necessary facilities for carrying out the process of withdrawing the life support system.
A bench comprising Justices J. B. Pardiwala and K. V. Viswanathan pronounced the verdict.
According to The Times of India, Rana has been in the state with 100 percent disability and quadriplegia, requiring continuous medical support for breathing, feeding, and daily care.
The Supreme Court, as per the TOI report, held that a person can choose death when “prolonging life through artificial life support goes against their dignity and there is no hope of recovery.”
Justice J. B. Pardiwala was visibly moved and briefly teared up while delivering the landmark verdict, according to a report by India Today.
"He experiences sleep–wake cycles but exhibits no meaningful interaction and has been dependent on others for all activities of self-care. Harish has been on CAN administered through a PEG tube, and his condition has shown no improvement," the Bench noted, according to the India Today report.
Rana reportedly suffered severe brain injuries after a fall 13 years ago.
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