Indian man in 13-year vegetative state allowed to die by Supreme Court
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Health policy & public health· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Supreme Court of India allowed the withdrawal of life support for Harish Rana, a man in a vegetative state for 13 years, ruling that it aligns with the right to die with dignity.
Background
The Supreme Court ruled that Harish Rana's chances of recovery were negligible after 13 years in a vegetative state. The court held that withdrawing life support is consistent with the Indian Constitution's recognition of the right to die with dignity.
Facts for Prelims
- PostHarish Rana: Individual whose life support was withdrawn by the Supreme Court
- Fact13 years: Duration Harish Rana remained in a vegetative state
- BodySupreme Court of India: Body that ruled on the right to die with dignity
For Mains
Q. Discuss the constitutional validity of passive euthanasia in India and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the 'right to die with dignity' versus the risk of exploitation.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Legal-ethical conflict: Balancing the individual's right to dignity against potential economic pressures on families
- Judicial oversight: Ensuring procedural safeguards to prevent misuse of passive euthanasia rulings
- Medical-legal framework: Defining 'negligible recovery' as a standard for withdrawing life support
Keywords: Passive Euthanasia · Right to Die with Dignity · Judicial Activism · Bioethics · Constitutional Morality
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