CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 25, 2026
Harish Rana Dies at AIIMS After 13-Year Coma — Landmark SC Permission for Passive Euthanasia
Harish Rana, the first person in India to be granted passive euthanasia by the Supreme Court, passed away at AIIMS on 24 March 2026. Rana, who was 31 when he entered a coma in 2013, had remained in a vegetative state for 13 years. The Supreme Court granted permission for passive euthanasia under the framework established in Common Cause v. Union of India (2018), marking a historic moment in India’s evolving jurisprudence on the right to die with dignity.
Constitutional & Legal Framework
- Article 21: Right to life includes the right to die with dignity, as interpreted by the Supreme Court.
- Aruna Shanbaug v. UOI (2011): First case to allow passive euthanasia in limited circumstances in India.
- Common Cause v. UOI (2018): Laid down comprehensive guidelines for living wills (advance directives) and passive euthanasia.
- Section 309 IPC (BNS equivalent): Dealt with attempt to suicide; effectively decriminalized by Section 115 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
- Active euthanasia remains illegal in India; passive euthanasia is permitted with judicial and medical safeguards.
What is Passive Euthanasia?
Passive euthanasia involves the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment, allowing the patient to die naturally. This is distinct from active euthanasia, which involves deliberately administering a lethal substance. A living will (advance directive) is a document in which a person specifies their wishes regarding end-of-life medical treatment in case they become incapable of making decisions.
The Evolution of Right to Die Jurisprudence in India
The journey from Aruna Shanbaug (2011) to Common Cause (2018) represents a significant evolution. While the Shanbaug case opened the door to passive euthanasia in exceptional circumstances, the Common Cause judgment formalized the process with detailed guidelines, including the requirements for a medical board, judicial oversight, and the mechanism of living wills. The Harish Rana case was the first real-world application of this framework.
CLAT Exam Angle
This topic is highly relevant for CLAT as it intersects constitutional law (Art. 21), criminal law (S.309 IPC), medical ethics, and judicial interpretation. Questions may test the distinction between active and passive euthanasia, knowledge of landmark judgments, and the concept of living wills. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 connection is also a favourite for examiners.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Person | Harish Rana |
| Date of Death | 24 March 2026 |
| Duration of Coma | 13 years (since 2013) |
| Key Case | Common Cause v. UOI (2018) |
| Constitutional Basis | Article 21 (Right to Life & Dignity) |
| Active Euthanasia | Illegal in India |
| Passive Euthanasia | Permitted with safeguards |
Mnemonic: PEACE
- P — Passive euthanasia (permitted with safeguards)
- E — End-of-life advance directive (living will)
- A — Article 21 (right to die with dignity)
- C — Common Cause v. UOI (2018) framework
- E — Exclusion of active euthanasia (remains illegal)
Practice Quiz
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
