In a deeply emotional hearing on Thursday, the Supreme Court examined the disturbing medical condition of 33-year-old Harish Rana, who has remained in a vegetative state for nearly 13 years. The bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan noted that Rana’s health has “gone from bad to worse,” prompting the Court to push the matter into the next crucial stage of the passive-euthanasia process under the Common Cause guidelines.
Background
Rana’s parents have been battling for years to obtain clarity on whether life-sustaining treatment-such as feeding tubes, hydration tubes, and constant medical interventions-can ethically and legally be withdrawn.
Earlier, in November 2024, the Supreme Court had disposed of the main petition after the family accepted a government-supported care plan at their home or a district hospital. But since then, the condition of Harish has deteriorated sharply. His counsel informed the Court that he is “artificially alive” and unresponsive to all forms of treatment.
A detailed on-site medical evaluation was ordered, and a team of four specialists-neurology, neurosurgery, anaesthesiology, and plastic surgery-visited Rana’s residence in Ghaziabad. Their findings painted a grim picture: bed sores, emaciation, contractures in nearly every limb joint, reliance on tracheostomy for breathing, and no meaningful neurological response. “The chances of his recovery… are negligible,” the report bluntly stated.
Court’s Observations
The bench revisited its earlier direction and the Common Cause framework, which sets out how decisions on withholding or withdrawing life support must be medically reviewed. The judges noted that the Primary Medical Board had already been tasked with assessing whether treatment should continue and were asked to file their conclusions “preferably within two weeks.”
Now, after reviewing the Primary Board’s medical documentation and photographs showing severe bed sores, the Court observed that the situation demanded urgent progression to the next statutory step.
“The bench observed, ‘It is time to proceed to the next stage in the process,’” referring to the constitution of a Secondary Medical Board, an essential safeguard under Indian passive euthanasia law.
The Court also acknowledged the “pathetic condition” in which the doctors found Harish, lying motionless with tubes supporting virtually all bodily functions. This, the Court suggested, reinforced the diminishing probability of any meaningful recovery.
Decision
In a significant move, the Supreme Court requested the Director of AIIMS, New Delhi, to immediately constitute a Secondary Medical Board as mandated by the Common Cause judgment. This Board must examine Harish independently and submit its report by 17 December 2025, allowing the matter to be taken up the very next day as a part-heard item.
The Court also directed its Registry to forward the complete medical documentation-including the four-doctor evaluation letter-to AIIMS without delay.
With this order, the case now stands at a pivotal juncture. The findings of the AIIMS Secondary Board will determine whether India’s legal framework permits the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in Harish Rana’s circumstances. The Court concluded the day’s proceedings by listing the matter for 18 December 2025, stopping short of any final pronouncement.
Case Title: Harish Rana vs. Union of India & Others
Case No.: Miscellaneous Application No. 2238/2025 in SLP(C) No. 18225/2024
Case Type: Miscellaneous Application (regarding passive euthanasia process & medical board directions)
Decision / Order Date: 11 December 2025
