His Family Never Left His Side, Real Love Is Caring In Saddest Hours : Supreme Court Lauds Harish Rana's Parents

In the first passive euthanasia case of India after the right to die with dignity was recognised as a fundamental right in 2018(as modified in 2023), the Supreme Court today allowed the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment of a 32-year-old named Harish Rana. Harish sustained a brain injury after he had fallen from a building in 2012 and has been sustaining on Clinically Administered Nutrition(CAN) with no signs of recovery as supported by the reports of two medical boards constituted by the Court. Given the sensitivity of the case, a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan had met the parents of Harish during the hearings. Pronouncing the judgment, the Court held that prolonging the biological life of Harish, when there was no improvement in his condition, was not in his best interest. While allowing the withdrawal of life support for Harish Rana, Justice Pardiwala, who authored the judgment, and Justice Viswanathan, who penned a concurring opinion, both wrote about how his parents and family continued to care for him despite the fact that he showed no signs of improvement. To love someone selflessly is to not abandon them in the darkest hours of their life, Justice Pardiwala stated."The issues in this matter has once again brought to the fore the fragility and transient nature of life and how swiftly the tide can turn for the worst. For the past 13 years, the appellant has lived a life defined by pain and suffering. A suffering made more cruel, as unlike most of us, he was stripped of his ability to even give voice to his anguish. However, while this case highlights how unforgiving life can be, it is easy to lose sight of another vital fact. We note with immense respect that the Appellant's parents and siblings have stood as pillars of unyielding support."Justice Pardiwala noted that the family exhausted every effort to be there for him and continued to do so with unwavering care, kindness and resilience. "Among the manyfold truths about human existence that this case reveals, the most enduring is the resilience of love. In our considered opinion, the greatest tragedy in life is not death but abandonment. Despite the catastrophic tragedy that struck the appellant, his family never left his side. He has been cared for, protected and cherished every moment. To us, this unwavering vigilance is a testament of true meaning of love. To love someone is to care for them not just in times of joy but in the saddest and darkest hours. It is to care for them even when the horizon is devoid of hope. It is to stand by them as they prepare to cross the threshold into the beyond. Ultimately, love is nothing but to care deeply, softly, and endlessly. He added that today's judgment does not neatly fall within logic and reason alone. It sits in a space of love, loss, medicine and mercy.Justice Viswanathan also mentioned how the parents and siblings of Harish have cared for him. "Harish has been on vegetative state and parents and siblings of Harish have left no stone unturned in ensuring the best treatment. It is only when the matter reached point of no return to relief, they resorted to this legal recourse. One can only imagine the agony they have undergone during this period. "He also quoted a Sanskriti Shlok: "चिता चिन्ता समाप्रोक्ता बिन्दुमात्रं विशेषता । सजीवं दहते चिन्ता निर्जीवं दहते चिता ॥" (between the funeral fire and the mental worry, it is the mental worry which is more devastating. While the funeral fire burns the dead bodies, it is the mental worry that burns the living one)The judgment was passed in a miscellaneous application filed by the father of Harish. He had earlier approached the Supreme Court in 2024 seeking passive euthanasia for the son. The Supreme Court had then refused to allow passive euthanasia, but on the Court's prodding, the State of Uttar Pradesh agreed to take care of the medical treatment.The father later filed a Miscellaneous Application saying that the condition of his son has worsened and that he has not been responding to any treatment.The Court in this case had constituted Primary and Secondary Medical Board which is a requirement as per the Common Cause judgment. Both medical boards had said that there is no chance of recovery.Case Details: HARISH RANA Vs UNION OF INDIA|MA 2238/2025 in SLP(C) No. 18225/2024

His Family Never Left His Side, Real Love Is Caring In Saddest Hours : Supreme Court Lauds Harish Rana's Parents

Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

"One can only imagine the agony they have undergone during this period," the Court said.

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