The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on a passive euthanasia petition filed by the parents of 32-year-old Harish Rana, who has been in a vegetative state for 13 years following a severe head injury. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan, who met Harish’s parents before the hearing, described the matter as “delicate” and said it would consider withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.

Harish, a Delhi resident from Mahavir Enclave, fell from the fourth-floor balcony of his PG accommodation in Chandigarh on August 20, 2013, leaving him completely disabled. Since then, he has relied on tubes for breathing and nutrition.

During the hearing, the amicus curiae representing Harish’s parents argued for passive euthanasia, citing medical board reports that indicated Harish had negligible chances of recovery. The advocate stressed that continuing life-support violates his right to live with dignity. The court’s deliberations followed submissions from ASG Aishwarya Bhati representing the Centre.