March 29, 2026

NEW DELHI: 31-year-old Harish Rana, the first person to be granted passive euthanasia in India, passed away at AIIMS-Delhi on Tuesday after remaining in a vegetative state for over 13 years, according to PTI. Rana had been in a vegetative state since August 2013 after falling from a building in Chandigarh.The Supreme Court had on March 11 allowed passive euthanasia in Rana’s case, reigniting debate over the ethical and legal distinction between “letting a patient die” and actively ending life.A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan referenced William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” while interpreting the Right to Die. “The famous literary Shakespeare quote ‘To be or not to be’ is now being used for judicially interpreting the ‘Right to Die,” Justice Pardiwala noted.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleThe bench also praised Rana’s parents for their decision, saying, “You are not giving up on your son. You are allowing him to live with dignity.”The court observed that continued administration of Clinically Assisted Nutrition (CAN) was not in Rana’s best interest and directed AIIMS to ensure a dignified withdrawal of life support.Passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in cases where a patient is terminally ill or has no chance of recovery, allowing a natural death. This is distinct from active euthanasia, which involves deliberate intervention to cause death and remains illegal in India.In October 2024, the Union health ministry issued draft guidelines on the withdrawal of life support in terminally ill patients. These state that such decisions must be based on considered medical opinion and can be taken under specific conditions, including brainstem death, advanced illness with no benefit from aggressive treatment, informed refusal by the patient or surrogate, and adherence to Supreme Court procedures.While Indian courts have recognised passive euthanasia under strict safeguards and medical oversight, active euthanasia continues to be prohibited under current law.Also read: How Harish Rana’s case revived memories of Aruna Shanbaug’s long, silent fight for dignity in deathAbout the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisTamil Nadu CM Stalin Questions PM Modi’s Preparedness Amid West Asia ConflictDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia“Pak Is Just Dysfunctional”: Fareed Zakaria Explains India-Pakistan Growth Gap123PhotostoriesVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balanceTop 7 tallest buildings of Mumbai that define the city’s skyline8 high-protein meal ideas for Navratri Ashtami fasting4 meditation practices from Hindu wisdom that guide the mind towards peaceFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Dipika Kakar: TV actresses who proved it’s never too late to embrace motherhood10 heat-tolerant plants that thrive in Indian summers9 fruits you should eat with the peel and how to remove pesticides safely123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

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NEW DELHI: 31-year-old Harish Rana, the first person to be granted passive euthanasia in India, passed away at AIIMS-Delhi on Tuesday after remaining in a vegetative state for over 13 years, according to PTI. Rana had been in a vegetative state since August 2013 after falling from a building in Chandigarh.The Supreme Court had on March 11 allowed passive euthanasia in Rana’s case, reigniting debate over the ethical and legal distinction between “letting a patient die” and actively ending life.A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan referenced William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” while interpreting the Right to Die. “The famous literary Shakespeare quote ‘To be or not to be’ is now being used for judicially interpreting the ‘Right to Die,” Justice Pardiwala noted.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleThe bench also praised Rana’s parents for their decision, saying, “You are not giving up on your son. You are allowing him to live with dignity.”The court observed that continued administration of Clinically Assisted Nutrition (CAN) was not in Rana’s best interest and directed AIIMS to ensure a dignified withdrawal of life support.Passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in cases where a patient is terminally ill or has no chance of recovery, allowing a natural death. This is distinct from active euthanasia, which involves deliberate intervention to cause death and remains illegal in India.In October 2024, the Union health ministry issued draft guidelines on the withdrawal of life support in terminally ill patients. These state that such decisions must be based on considered medical opinion and can be taken under specific conditions, including brainstem death, advanced illness with no benefit from aggressive treatment, informed refusal by the patient or surrogate, and adherence to Supreme Court procedures.While Indian courts have recognised passive euthanasia under strict safeguards and medical oversight, active euthanasia continues to be prohibited under current law.Also read: How Harish Rana’s case revived memories of Aruna Shanbaug’s long, silent fight for dignity in deathAbout the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisTamil Nadu CM Stalin Questions PM Modi’s Preparedness Amid West Asia ConflictDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised SalesIndia, US Step Up Defence Talks As Elbridge Colby Visit And Jaishankar-Rubio Call Focus On West Asia“Pak Is Just Dysfunctional”: Fareed Zakaria Explains India-Pakistan Growth Gap123PhotostoriesVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of IndiaFamous war memorials around the world and the stories behind them8 satvik foods to eat during Navratri for energy and balanceTop 7 tallest buildings of Mumbai that define the city’s skyline8 high-protein meal ideas for Navratri Ashtami fasting4 meditation practices from Hindu wisdom that guide the mind towards peaceFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Dipika Kakar: TV actresses who proved it’s never too late to embrace motherhood10 heat-tolerant plants that thrive in Indian summers9 fruits you should eat with the peel and how to remove pesticides safely123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper


Harish Rana, India's first passive euthanasia case, dies after 13 years in vegetative state

NEW DELHI: 31-year-old Harish Rana, the first person to be granted passive euthanasia in India, passed away at AIIMS-Delhi on Tuesday after remaining in a vegetative state for over 13 years, according to PTI. Rana had been in a vegetative state since August 2013 after falling from a building in Chandigarh.The Supreme Court had on March 11 allowed passive euthanasia in Rana’s case, reigniting debate over the ethical and legal distinction between “letting a patient die” and actively ending life.A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan referenced William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” while interpreting the Right to Die. “The famous literary Shakespeare quote ‘To be or not to be’ is now being used for judicially interpreting the ‘Right to Die,” Justice Pardiwala noted.The bench also praised Rana’s parents for their decision, saying, “You are not giving up on your son. You are allowing him to live with dignity.”The court observed that continued administration of Clinically Assisted Nutrition (CAN) was not in Rana’s best interest and directed AIIMS to ensure a dignified withdrawal of life support.Passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in cases where a patient is terminally ill or has no chance of recovery, allowing a natural death. This is distinct from active euthanasia, which involves deliberate intervention to cause death and remains illegal in India.In October 2024, the Union health ministry issued draft guidelines on the withdrawal of life support in terminally ill patients. These state that such decisions must be based on considered medical opinion and can be taken under specific conditions, including brainstem death, advanced illness with no benefit from aggressive treatment, informed refusal by the patient or surrogate, and adherence to Supreme Court procedures.While Indian courts have recognised passive euthanasia under strict safeguards and medical oversight, active euthanasia continues to be prohibited under current law.Also read: How Harish Rana’s case revived memories of Aruna Shanbaug’s long, silent fight for dignity in death



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