New Delhi, March 24: Harish Rana, the first person in the country to be granted permission for passive euthanasia, died on Tuesday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
In a statement, the AIIMS said that Harish Rana breathed his last at 4:10 pm on Tuesday. He was under the care of a team of dedicated doctors and was admitted to the Palliative Oncology Unit (IRCH) under the leadership of Dr (Prof.) Seema Mishra, Head of the Department of Onco-Anesthesia.
AIIMS expressed its deepest condolences to Harish Rana’s family and loved ones
Harish Rana’s case was considered a landmark decision on the “Right to Die” with dignity in the country. On March 11, the Supreme Court granted special permission to Harish Rana, allowing the AIIMS management to withdraw life support to ensure his death with dignity.
Harish Rana, 32, was the victim of an accident 13 years ago. Rana, a B.Tech student at Punjab University in Chandigarh, fell from the fourth floor of his hostel on August 20, 2013, and subsequently fell into a coma. His family provided extensive medical treatment, but his health showed no improvement. He had been bedridden and on life support for 13 years.
The family approached the Supreme Court for euthanasia. Harish’s father, Ashok Rana, had requested euthanasia for his son. The Supreme Court formed a panel of doctors and requested a report.
Following this, on March 11, the Supreme Court granted Harish Rana euthanasia. On March 15, Harish Rana was brought to AIIMS, Delhi. The hospital’s team of doctors gradually began removing life support systems. On Tuesday, Harish was permanently relieved of pain. This is the first case of passive euthanasia in the country.