Supreme Court Moves Closer to Approving Passive Euthanasia, Issues Key Directives

The Supreme Court has taken a significant step in a landmark case involving a 31-year-old man who has been in a coma for 13 years. The court has ordered the formation of a second medical board to examine the patient’s condition and submit a report on whether his life-support treatment can be withdrawn. If approved, this could become India’s first court-sanctioned case of passive euthanasia.

Patient Living in Dire Condition

During Thursday’s hearing, a bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan reviewed the report submitted by the primary medical board at a Noida hospital. The court remarked on the man’s extremely pitiable condition, noting that he is completely paralyzed (quadriplegic) and unable to move.

The bench observed:
“The patient appears to be in a very distressing state. Bedsores are painful, and their presence indicates a lack of proper care and hygiene. Bedsores are a sign that everything is deteriorating.”

Doctors have stated in their report that there is no hope of recovery for the patient, Harish Rana. The court emphasized:
“We must do something now. We cannot allow him to continue living in such conditions.”

Next Steps: Formation of Secondary Medical Board

Representing the patient’s father, advocate Rashmi Nandkumar referred to the Supreme Court’s 2018 guidelines, stating that the case must now proceed to a secondary medical board constituted by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

The court directed AIIMS to constitute this board and submit its report by next Wednesday. The secondary board will determine whether life-support systems and ongoing medical treatment can be ethically withdrawn.

The Supreme Court had earlier, on 26 November, instructed the Noida district hospital to form a primary board to explore the possibility of passive euthanasia for Rana, noting that his health had deteriorated further.

Significance

If the second medical board recommends withdrawal of life-support and the court approves it, this case could set a precedent for passive euthanasia in India, reinforcing patient rights and ethical decision-making in prolonged comatose states.