Amid a case tinged with despair, the Delhi High Court stood firm against a plea for euthanasia concerning a man bedridden and suffering since 2013. Despite his harrowing condition, the court emphasized the legal boundaries, declaring that no one, including physicians, can end a life through lethal means, irrespective of intent.
Court’s Ruling and Rationale
In a judgment rendered on July 2, Justice Subramonium Prasad dismissed the appeal by Harish Rana, 30, who, though severely impaired, survives without mechanical aid. The court acknowledged the parents’ anguish but highlighted the legal impossibility of sanctioning euthanasia in such cases. “The petitioner is alive, and alleviating pain through death by lethal drugs remains impermissible,” Justice Prasad stated.
Background of the Case
Harish Rana, once a student at Punjab University, sustained severe head injuries from a fall in 2013, resulting in a prolonged vegetative state. His parents, overwhelmed by his unchanging condition and their advancing age, sought a medical board’s assessment for euthanasia. The court learned of his worsening health, marked by severe bedsores and infections.
Legal Precedents and Arguments
Justice Prasad referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Common Cause v. Union of India, reinforcing the prohibition against active euthanasia. The judgment clarified that the court could not entertain the request for passive euthanasia, dismissing the petition and any related applications.
Legal Representation
The case saw a multitude of legal representatives, with Neeraj Gupta, Manish Jain, Vikas Kumar Verma, Chelsi, Anchal, Rajesh Kumar, and Shanky Jain advocating for the petitioner. Representing the Union of India were Central Government Standing Counsel Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, along with Kushagra Kumar and Abhinav Bhardwaj. The AIIMS legal team included Satya Ranjan Swain and Kautilya Birat, while Udit Malik and Vishal Chanda appeared for the Delhi government.
