13 years of war ends: For the first time in the country, freedom from ‘euthanasia’, AIIMS doctors calmed Harish’s pain like this

New Delhi/Ghaziabad: After the cruel blow of fate and a long legal battle regarding Passive Euthanasia, Harish Rana of Ghaziabad finally rested at peace. Harish, admitted in the ‘Palliative Care Ward’ of Delhi-based All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), breathed his last on Tuesday. After the historic order of the Supreme Court, the life support systems given to him for the last 10 days were being removed in a phased manner. Harish, who was swinging between life and death without food and water for the last one week, finally got freedom from this painful body.

Life changed while talking on mobile on the day of Rakshabandhan

This tragic story of Harish Rana started on the day of Rakshabandhan in August 2013. Harish, a final year civil engineering student at Chandigarh University, was talking to his sister on the phone when he lost his balance and fell from the fourth floor of the PG. This accident destroyed his entire world. Due to serious injuries, he developed a condition called ‘Quadriplegia’, in which a person’s hands and legs become completely inactive. Harish was forced to remain bedridden for the last 13 years.

The court’s threshold and the long battle of ‘euthanasia’

Seeing the son’s unbearable pain and helpless condition, the parents took a stone-cold decision. He demanded ‘euthanasia’ for his son from the Delhi High Court on July 8, 2025, which was rejected by the court. Not accepting defeat, the family reached the Supreme Court. After about 8 months of hearing, on March 11, 2026, the country’s top court allowed ‘passive euthanasia’ (dignified farewell) to Harish. On March 14, he was admitted to the IRCH ward of AIIMS, where doctors began to discontinue his treatment as per the legal process.

The whole family was together in the last moments

An emotional scene was seen at AIIMS at the time of Harish’s last farewell. His father Ashok Rana, mother Nirmala Devi, younger brother Ashish and sister Bhavna were watching their son leaving with tears in their eyes. Neighbors and friends said that Harish’s mother was reciting Hanuman Chalisa till the last moment, hoping for a miracle. The doctors ensured that Harish did not suffer any physical pain in his last moments by giving him only painkillers.

What is passive euthanasia? who freed Harish

Passive euthanasia i.e. ‘passive euthanasia’ is legally recognized in India. In this, those patients who have no hope of recovery are removed from artificial life support systems (such as ventilators or feeding tubes). Same thing happened in Harish’s case also. Doctors had stopped him from eating and drinking about a week ago so that his body could calm down naturally. There is now mourning at his house located in Loni area of ​​Ghaziabad, but the family is satisfied that their son has now got freedom from that unbearable pain.