Harish Rana passive euthanasia case: What happens next, what AIIMS doctors will do to allow man in 13-year coma to ‘die with dignity’

The Supreme Court of India has allowed the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for Harish Rana, who has remained in a comatose state for more than 13 years.

In a landmark ruling, a bench comprising Justices J. B. Pardiwala and K. V. Viswanathan approved a plea filed on Rana’s behalf by his father, Ashok Rana.

The court observed that Rana had been surviving only through clinically administered nutrition delivered via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. Medical boards reviewing his condition unanimously concluded that continuing treatment was only prolonging biological survival, with no realistic possibility of recovery.


"To Harish's family, we want to acknowledge the deep emotional weight this decision carries. This decision can feel like an act of surrender, but we believe it is, in truth, an act of profound compassion and courage. You are not giving up on your son. You are allowing him to leave with dignity. It reflects the depth of your selfless love and devotion towards him," the bench said.

The court also directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to facilitate the patient's transfer to its palliative care department, where the withdrawal of medical support will be carried out in a structured and dignified manner.

What happened to Harish Rana

Harish Rana, now 32, was a fitness enthusiast who enjoyed gym workouts and football. In 2013, while pursuing a B.Tech degree at Panjab University, he fell from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation, suffering a severe brain injury that left him in a coma.

Between August 21 and August 27, 2013, he was treated at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI), Chandigarh. Doctors managed his condition through conservative treatment, including anti-epileptic medication, pain relief, ventilatory support, antibiotics, a tracheostomy, and feeding through a Ryle’s tube.

Although Rana was discharged on August 27, 2013, his condition showed little improvement. His fragile health required repeated hospital admissions and ongoing treatment for complications such as seizures, pneumonia and bedsores at the Jai Prakash Narayan Trauma Centre at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Medical records show that he developed seizures in 2014 and was placed on medication. Doctors also noted that he displayed no signs of awareness of his surroundings and was unable to interact with others.

How the process will be carried out

Passive euthanasia involves allowing a patient to die by withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.

The court directed that Rana be moved to AIIMS, where doctors will follow the legal guidelines governing passive euthanasia while providing palliative care.

Dr Sushma Bhatnagar, former chief of onco-anaesthesia and palliative medicine at AIIMS and currently with Max Healthcare, explained that the focus will be on supportive care rather than aggressive medical interventions.

Under this approach, he told the Indian Express, doctors will avoid treatments or life-support systems that merely prolong life without improving quality. Instead, the emphasis will remain on maintaining comfort and dignity through measures such as pain management, hygiene and routine supportive care.

If Rana’s condition deteriorates—for instance, if he experiences breathing difficulties—doctors will not escalate treatment through intensive interventions. The aim, specialists say, is to ensure that he remains comfortable, free from pain and distressing symptoms.

Nutrition, which was central to the legal petition, is expected to be handled gradually. According to Dr Bhatnagar, feeding may not be stopped abruptly but could be tapered slowly, depending on the medical team’s assessment and care plan.