Top court clears end-of-life decision for man in coma for 13 years
March 11, 2026: The Supreme Court of India has permitted the withdrawal of life-support measures for Harish Rana, who has remained in a critical condition for more than a decade following a severe brain injury. Delivering the ruling, Justice J. B. Pardiwala said the patient’s medical support system could be withdrawn and removed the earlier requirement of a 30-day reconsideration period in such cases. The court directed that Rana be admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, where doctors will supervise the medical process.
Justice Pardiwala emphasised that the withdrawal of treatment must be carried out gradually and in a humane manner under strict medical supervision. He observed that the process does not necessarily have to take place in a hospital and could also be conducted at home if required. The court noted that when a patient is unable to make decisions independently, close family members can determine what would be in the patient’s best interest.
The bench, which also included Justice Dipankar Datta, referred to the landmark Common Cause vs Union of India ruling that recognised passive euthanasia and addressed the issue of dignity in end-of-life decisions. Medical reports presented before the court stated that Rana’s condition has shown no improvement for the past 13 years following a college accident that caused severe brain damage.