It's natural for parents to wish long lives and safety for their children, often going to any lengths for their well-being. But imagine the heart-wrenching decision when parents plead for their child's release from suffering through death. This is the poignant reality faced by the Rana couple from Ghaziabad, who have petitioned the Supreme Court for euthanasia for their young son.
Residing in Ghaziabad, the Rana couple have sought passive euthanasia for their 31-year-old son through a formal petition in the Supreme Court. Their appeal regarding Harish is pending a verdict expected today; the court will determine whether Harish Rana should be granted the right to die with dignity.
The petition will be decided by a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Vishwanathan. During a previous session on January 13, both justices met with Harish's parents to understand their situation. The bench had expressed interest in meeting the family to fully comprehend the circumstances before announcing their decision.
The court's deliberations have included medical evaluations by two separate boards, each indicating that Harish's recovery is improbable. From Chandigarh's PGI to Delhi's renowned hospitals like Loknayak Jayaprakash, Ram Manohar Lohia, and AIIMS, extensive treatments were pursued with little hope offered by the medical community.
As a result, the young man who was expected to be a pillar of support for his parents is now entirely dependent on them for survival. Relying on liquid foods and being assisted by tubes for eating and urinating, Harish remains motionless for twelve long years. The world continues its march forward while Harish’s reality remains confined to a single bed.
Haunted by their son’s voiceless suffering, Harish’s father eventually quit his job and even sold their home to fund his treatment. Now, even the costs for a nurse's care have become insurmountable. Despite earlier appeals in 2018 and 2023, the Supreme Court denied their petition each time.
What Led Harish to His Current State?
Pursuing B.Tech in Chandigarh, Harish's promising journey was disrupted in 2013. On August 20, events led him to fall from the fourth floor—whether he fell or was pushed remains unclear—resulting in traumatic head injuries and a persistent coma. Treatments in Chandigarh and Delhi's AIIMS yielded no success.
Witnessing his son's continuous agony, Harish's parents filed for euthanasia in the Supreme Court in 2018, wishing him a dignified end if life cannot offer dignity in living.
Understanding Euthanasia
Euthanasia involves death administered at the request of the individual, sometimes facilitated by medical professionals. It is categorized into active and passive forms. Active euthanasia includes administering lethal substances, whereas passive euthanasia involves ceasing life-sustaining treatments. The Supreme Court approved passive euthanasia in 2018, recognizing it as a choice under specific circumstances.
