Harish Rana’s euthanasia plea

The Supreme Court is set to decide whether Harish Rana, who has been in a vegetative state for 13 years, should be allowed to undergo euthanasia.

Transcript

00:00This is the mother of 31-year-old Harish Rana.

00:06He has spent the last 13 years in a vegetative state.

00:09Now, through his family, Harish Rana is asking the Supreme Court for permission to withdraw life-sustaining treatment.

00:16Harish suffered severe brain injury after falling from a balcony while studying engineering.

00:21Since then, he has remained unconscious and completely dependent on medical support.

00:30We are the mother-in-law and we are the mother-in-law, because we are doing this.

00:37So, if we are the mother-in-law, we will see this child in the body.

00:43His case is now being heard by the Supreme Court of India.

00:47The court is considering whether passive euthanasia, legally allowed under certain conditions, should apply in his case.

00:53A secondary medical board at Ames has examined him and submitted its findings to the court.

00:57The Supreme Court has said it will speak directly to Harish Rana's parents and siblings.

01:02That interaction is scheduled for January 13th.

01:05In India, active euthanasia is illegal.

01:07However, passive euthanasia is permitted under Supreme Court guidelines.

01:11This allows doctors to withdraw or withhold life support in specific cases.

01:15The legal framework began in 2011 with the Arunashanbog case.

01:30In 2018, the Supreme Court recognized the right to die with dignity and allowed living wills,

01:35advanced directives that refuse artificial life support if recovery becomes impossible.

01:40In cases where there is no living will, doctors must confirm the condition is irreversible,

01:45medical boards must approve the decision and courts supervise the process.

01:49The Supreme Court's ruling in Harish Rana's case could influence how India handles long-term coma

01:54and vegetative state patients.