Supreme Court gives permission for euthanasia to Ghaziabad youth who was bedridden for 13 years

New Delhi,. The Supreme Court today gave an important decision and allowed the euthanasia of Harish Rana of Ghaziabad, who was forced to lie on the bed in an unconscious state for almost 13 years. A bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Vishwanathan allowed removal of the medical treatment of Harish Rana, who is suffering from 100 percent disability.

The Supreme Court directed AIIMS to admit the patient in palliative care, so that medical treatment can be appropriately withdrawn. The dignity of the patient should also be maintained. The Supreme Court has also recommended bringing a comprehensive law on euthanasia. In fact, Harish’s parents, who had given up hope of their 32-year-old son’s recovery, had demanded euthanasia for him. In this process, the artificial support that keeps the patient alive is removed and he is allowed to die.

On March 9, 2018, a five-member Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, while allowing the will for euthanasia, had said that every person has the right to die with dignity. The Constitution Bench had held that the right to peaceful death is part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.