Supreme Court Reserves Verdict on Withdrawal of Life Support in Permanent Vegetative State Case

The Supreme Court reserved judgment on a plea seeking the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for a 32-year-old man in an irreversible permanent vegetative state for over 12 years.

The Court held that the issue must be examined strictly within the framework laid down in Common Cause, which recognises the right to die with dignity under Article 21.

It observed that both primary and secondary medical boards have unanimously found no chance of recovery. 

The Bench noted the sensitive ethical balance involved and underscored the importance of caregivers’ informed consent, medical opinion, and constitutional safeguards before permitting passive euthanasia.

[Harish Rana v. UOI]