The Supreme Court has asked the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to set up a Secondary Medical Board to examine whether life support, including artificial nutrition and hydration, can be withdrawn for a 32-year-old man who has remained in a persistent vegetative state for 13 years after a fall.
A Bench of Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice K. V. Viswanathan issued the order on December 11, 2025, in a pending application filed by Harish Rana through his father in Miscellaneous Application No. 2238/2025 in SLP (C) No. 18225/2024.
The case began before the Delhi High Court, where the family sought a Medical Board to review Harish’s condition and support the process of passive euthanasia. Harish has 100% disability with quadriplegia.
The main SLP was closed in November 2024 after the Centre suggested options for his care, including government-supported home care, treatment at District Hospital Noida, or support through an NGO. His parents accepted these options.
Later, a fresh application was filed by Advocate Rashmi Nandakumar seeking a declaration that artificial nutrition and hydration count as life-sustaining treatment, a determination under the Common Cause judgment, and directions for the constitution of Primary and Secondary Medical Boards. The plea also asked for directions to states and High Courts regarding nomination and intimation procedures.
The applicant told the Court that Harish’s condition had worsened, that he had shown no improvement, and that he remained alive only through artificial support.
On November 26, 2025, the Court ordered District Hospital, Sector-39, Noida, to form a Primary Medical Board under the guidelines of the Common Cause judgment, as modified in January 2023. The modified rules require the hospital to consult the family physician and next of kin, explain the implications of treatment withdrawal, obtain written consent, and certify its view within 48 hours.
The Primary Board’s report was submitted in a sealed cover. A team comprising the Chief Medical Officer, Ghaziabad, and four specialists visited Harish’s home at Rajnagar Extension. They stated plainly that the chances of recovery were negligible. Photographs showed severe bedsores and extensive deterioration.
Justice Pardiwala noted that Harish was found lying on a bed with tracheostomy and gastrostomy tubes, and had been in this state for 13 years. Taking note of the Board’s conclusion, the Court said it was time to move to the next stage of the process outlined in the Common Cause framework.
The Bench directed the AIIMS Director to form a Secondary Medical Board and submit its report by December 17, 2025. The Court also asked that all documents from the Primary Board be sent to AIIMS immediately, and that the Registry notify the institution the same day.
The matter will be heard next on December 18, 2025, as the second item on the Board.
Case: Harish Rana v. Union of India & Ors., MA No. 2238/2025 in SLP(C) No. 18225/2024
Bench: Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice K. V. Viswanathan
IA No. 270680/2025 – Appropriate Orders/Directions
