By Admin 
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) approved the case of passive euthanasia. The court has ordered to remove the medical support system of Harish Rana of Ghaziabad. Harish’s family had filed a petition appealing for removal of his medical system and passive euthanasia. Harish has been bedridden for 13 years. Harish suffered a head injury during an accident in college, after which his brain was damaged. Since then he is in this condition.
The bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Vishwanathan said that the way Harish Rana is being kept alive, it should be seen like a life support system. He said that when the patient is not in a position to take his own decisions, the people close to him have to take decisions based on his best interests. The court said that there has been no improvement in Harish’s condition for 13 years. Keeping the patient alive artificially is appropriate only when he is benefiting from the treatment. There is a possibility of his recovery.
The Supreme Court said in the order that the patient should be admitted to AIIMS Hospital in Delhi and whatever necessary procedure should be done. The court also removed the 30-day reconsideration period on the petition. Justice Pardiwala said in his order that we have tried to further improve some aspects of the Common Cause decision of 2018.
He said, ‘The decision on passive euthanasia came in 2018. In this decision we have analyzed the aspects of human dignity between life and death. A comparison has also been made with the assessment of the best interest of the patient in other countries. Pointing towards Justice KV Vishwanathan, Justice Pardiwala said, ‘My brother Justice Vishwanathan has also written the judgment. He will also read it. However, the conclusion of both is the same.
Justice Pardiwala said, ‘Harish Rana was a talented young man. His condition worsened due to brain damage caused by an accident in college. Medical reports show that his condition has not improved for 13 years.
In the order, Justice Pardiwala set guidelines for future passive euthanasia cases. The court said, ‘Medical treatment of the patient should be removed in a phased manner under the supervision of doctors in a humane manner. This process does not have to be done in the hospital itself. Can happen at home also.