The judgment will be delivered after the Bench conducted lengthy, measured and multi-level consultations. File. | Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
The Supreme Court is expected to pronounce judgment on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) in a plea by the family of 31-year-old Harish Rana to withdraw his life-sustaining treatment.
A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan is scheduled to deliver judgment in the case, which has been reserved for final decision on February 15 this year.
Hearings in the case saw debate over whether hospitals have a standing medical board of doctors designated to carry out necessary medical examinations in cases where family members have come forward with a wish to withdraw life support.
The judgment will be delivered after the Bench conducted lengthy, measured and multi-level consultations with Harish Rana’s family, medical boards and counsel appearing for both the family members and the Centre. A team led by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati visited Rana’s residence and submitted an eyewitness report to the Supreme Court.
The bench personally met Mr. Rana’s parents and siblings, who said they did not want him to suffer anymore.
The court also noted Ms Bhati’s contention that the primary and secondary board of doctors who attended Mr Rana were also of the opinion that the treatment should be discontinued and “nature should be allowed to take its own course”.
Mr. Rana suffered severe head injuries and 100% quadriplegic disability after falling from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation as a student of Panjab University in 2013. He has now been bedridden for over 13 years.
“Doctors are of the opinion that Harish will remain in this permanent vegetative state (PVS) for years to come… He would never be able to recover and lead a normal life,” the apex court said in its January 15 order.
Published – 10 March 2026 22:41 IST
