Harish Rana

Harish Rana was a 31 or 32-year-old Indian man (reports vary slightly on age) who had been in a vegetative state for over 12 years. He is newsworthy because India's Supreme Court recently granted his parents permission to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, effectively allowing passive euthanasia. This decision marks what is widely considered the first instance of court-approved passive euthanasia in India since it was legalized in 2018. The Supreme Court's ruling, delivered by a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K, is significant as it provides a clear application of the legal framework for passive euthanasia in the country. Experts believe this case could shape how India implements its laws regarding end-of-life care and the rights of patients in irreversible vegetative states.