On 11 March 2026, the Supreme Court of India issued its first-ever order permitting passive euthanasia, allowing the withdrawal of artificial life support for Harish Rana, a 32-year-old man who had been in a coma for more than 12 years after suffering severe head injuries in 2013.
A bench of Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice K. V. Viswanathan directed All India Institute of Medical Sciences to admit the patient to palliative care, where artificial life support can be withdrawn while ensuring dignity.
The decision follows the court’s landmark Common Cause v. Union of India ruling, which recognized passive euthanasia and the right to die with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. The guidelines were further simplified in 2023, allowing withdrawal of life support after approval by primary and secondary medical boards when recovery chances are negligible.
This ruling reinforces the legal framework for passive euthanasia in India, emphasizing compassion, medical oversight, and the patient’s dignity.
