Harish Rana, India's first person to be allowed passive euthanasia, dies in AIIMS

The apex court had directed AIIMS-Delhi to ensure that life support is withdrawn with a tailored plan so that dignity is maintained.

New Delhi: After being in coma for more than 13 years, Harish Rana – the first person in India to be allowed by the Supreme Court to undergo a passive euthanasia protocol – passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Research here on Tuesday, the hospital said.

"Harish Rana passed away at 4:10 pm on March 24 at AIIMS, Delhi. He was under the care of a dedicated team of doctors and was admitted to the palliative oncology unit (IRCH), led by Seema Mishra, head of the department, onco-anaesthesia and palliative medicine,” the AIIMS said in a statement.

"AIIMS extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

The former Punjab University B.Tech student suffered serious brain injuries after falling from the fourth floor balcony of a paying guest accommodation in 2013. He was in coma since then with artificial nutritional support. Occasionally he also required oxygen.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement, approved a plea from Rana’s parents to allow withdrawal of the artificial feeding that kept him alive.

He was shifted from his Ghaziabad home to the palliative care unit at Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital at AIIMS on March 14. Following his admission, Harish's nutritional support was gradually withdrawn in accordance with a laid down protocol.

After his death, his family is learnt to have donated his corneas and heart valves, which were retrieved by the hospital.

Harish's family had said after the apex court judgment that withdrawal of artificial life support would not bring any personal benefit to the family, but in the larger public interest, the decision could help others facing similar situations.

His father, Ashok Rana, had said withdrawal of artificial life support would restore Harish's dignity after years of irreversible suffering.

In its judgement, the apex court overturned previous rulings of Delhi High Court as well as its own and directed AIIMS-Delhi to ensure that life support is withdrawn with a tailored plan so that dignity is maintained.

A specialised medical team comprising specialists from departments of neurosurgery, onco-anaesthesia and palliative medicine, and psychiatry was constituted to execute the process.

In Rana’s case, several medical boards had concluded that recovery was unlikely and continued artificial feeding was prolonging suffering. The SC acknowledged his parents’ long vigil, describing it as an act of enduring love, and said that allowing their son to die with dignity reflected compassion rather than surrender.