Delhi High Court Denies Plea for Passive Euthanasia for Harish Rana

The Delhi High Court has recently dismissed a plea seeking the formation of a medical board to consider passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, who has been in a vegetative state for the past ten years. The plea was filed by Rana’s parents, requesting the court to refer him to a medical board for evaluation.

Justice Subramonium Prasad ruled that Rana is not being kept alive mechanically and can sustain himself without any external aid. Therefore, euthanasia cannot be permitted. The court also referred to previous Supreme Court judgments that active euthanasia is legally impermissible.

Rana, a 30-year-old former student of Punjab University, suffered severe head injuries after falling from the fourth floor of his paying guest house. He has been bedridden since 2013 with a 100% disability and has developed severe bed sores. Despite the family’s efforts and consultations with various doctors, there is no hope for his recovery.

While the court sympathized with Rana’s family, it stated that since he is not terminally ill, the request for passive euthanasia is legally untenable.