“Forgive everyone… now go”: Family’s emotional farewell to Harish Rana after Supreme Court ruling

In the video, family members are seen gathered around Rana as they say their final words. One relative can be heard telling him, "Forgive everyone, seek forgiveness from everyone… now go, okay?"

The video was reportedly recorded shortly before Rana was shifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, where doctors will supervise the gradual withdrawal of life support in accordance with the court’s order.

Landmark Supreme Court ruling

In a landmark judgement delivered earlier this week, the Supreme Court permitted the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for Rana after hearing a plea filed by his parents.

A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan allowed the removal of life-sustaining medical support and urged the union government to consider enacting a comprehensive law governing passive euthanasia.

The ruling is widely seen as the first instance in India where a court has directly authorised passive euthanasia in an individual case, allowing a patient to die naturally by withholding or withdrawing medical treatment that sustains life.

The court also clarified aspects of its landmark 2018 "Common Cause" judgement, which had recognised passive euthanasia as legally permissible under strict safeguards.

An accident left student in vegetative state

The case centres on Rana, who was a 19-year-old student at Panjab University when he suffered a catastrophic accident in 2013.

According to case records, Rana fell from the fourth floor of a paying-guest accommodation building, sustaining severe brain injuries that left him in a persistent vegetative state.

Although doctors initially stabilised him, he never regained consciousness. For more than a decade he remained bedridden and dependent on medical support, requiring a tracheostomy tube for breathing and a feeding tube for nutrition.

Medical assessments presented before the court confirmed that Rana’s condition had shown no improvement for over 13 years, with doctors concluding that recovery was extremely unlikely.

Court reflects on the 'right to die'

While delivering the verdict, the bench reflected on the moral and philosophical complexities surrounding end-of-life decisions.

Justice Pardiwala cited American minister Henry Ward Beecher, noting that life is not something people are asked to accept or reject.

The bench also referred to William Shakespeare’s 'Hamlet', invoking the famous line "To be or not to be" while discussing the difficult choices courts face in such cases.

The judges emphasised that withdrawal of life support must meet two key conditions: the treatment must qualify as a medical intervention, and discontinuing it must serve the best interests of the patient.

'Medical duty ends when recovery is impossible'

The court acknowledged that doctors have a fundamental duty to preserve life but said this obligation cannot continue indefinitely when medical evidence shows no possibility of recovery.

The bench noted that Rana had once been a bright young student with a promising future before the accident dramatically altered his life.

Given the circumstances, the court directed that he be admitted to AIIMS’ palliative care unit, where doctors will oversee the gradual withdrawal of treatment under strict medical supervision.

Family’s years of care recognised

The judgement also acknowledged the unwavering care provided by Rana's family, particularly his elderly parents, who looked after him for more than a decade.

The bench observed that their dedication reflected deep compassion and love, adding that end-of-life cases often involve human realities that cannot be resolved through legal reasoning alone.

Legal background of passive euthanasia

The legal framework for passive euthanasia in India traces back to the 2011 Aruna Shanbaug case, where the Supreme Court laid down guidelines permitting the withdrawal of life support under exceptional circumstances.

The court expanded these principles in 2018, recognising that the right to die with dignity forms part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Rana's case is now considered a significant legal milestone, representing the first direct judicial implementation of those principles and renewing calls for a clear statutory law governing passive euthanasia in India.