Supreme Court to deliver verdict on allowing dignified death for Delhi man in coma for 13 years

After 13 years in a vegetative state, Harish Rana's parents have once again pleaded with the Supreme Court for permission to withdraw life support .

Published on: Jan 15, 2026, 12:24:46 IST

By HT News Desk

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For the past 13 years, 32-year-old Harish Rana’s life has remained at a standstill. The Delhi resident has been in a permanent vegetative state since 2013 and survives through medical tubes that help him breathe and receive nutrition. After years of emotional and financial strain, his parents have once again approached the Supreme Court, asking for permission to withdraw life support so their son can be allowed a dignified death.

The case could set a precedent for passive euthanasia in India. (AFP Photo/Representative Image)

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Top court to decide

The Supreme Court is set to decide whether Harish’s life-sustaining treatment should continue or be withdrawn. If the court allows passive euthanasia, it would become the first known instance of a court formally ordering such a step in India since the practice was legalised in 2018. The case has reopened a national debate on the right to die with dignity.

How the tragedy unfolded

Harish was a civil engineering student at Chandigarh University when he met with a life-altering accident on August 20, 2013. He fell from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation on Raksha Bandhan, suffering severe head injuries that left him completely disabled. Doctors confirmed he could neither move nor respond, and his condition has remained unchanged since, India Today reported.

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Since the accident, Harish has been admitted to AIIMS, where his parents have spent years by his bedside. With mounting medical expenses and no improvement in their son’s health, the family sold their Delhi home and shifted to Ghaziabad. Despite having two other children, their lives have revolved around caring for Harish.

The legal battle for euthanasia

Harish’s parents first sought permission for passive euthanasia from the Delhi High Court in 2024, but the plea was rejected. The court ruled that withdrawing feeding tubes would amount to active euthanasia, which is illegal in India. The Supreme Court also turned down their appeal later that year, noting Harish was not fully dependent on machines.

ALSO READ | SC sets up medical board at Noida hospital to explore passive euthanasia for 31-yr-old

Fresh review and medical opinion

Returning to the Supreme Court in December 2025, the parents argued that Harish’s condition had worsened and that he was being kept alive artificially. Medical boards appointed by the court found his chances of recovery to be almost nil, said the report. Calling the situation heart-breaking, the judges fixed January 15 to deliver a final decision.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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