On January 15, 2026, the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a plea to withdraw life-sustaining treatment for Harish Rana, 31, who has been in a permanent vegetative state for over 13 years. The hearing lasted about an hour with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan presiding. The Union government and Harish's family submitted their views. The family wants to stop life support to end his suffering. Doctors from two medical boards agree that continuing treatment will not help. Mr. Rana suffered severe injuries in a 2013 fall and has been completely dependent on artificial life support since then. The court noted the family's emotional plea. Harish's father said, "He cannot speak, hear, see, recognise anyone, or eat on his own; Is entirely dependent on artificial life support, including a feeding tube..." The judges asked what would happen if the family's choice conflicted with medical advice. Advocate Rashmi Nandakumar suggested hospitals appoint permanent doctors for medical boards to speed up such cases. The court also discussed avoiding the term 'passive euthanasia' and instead prefers 'withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment.' Earlier, the court heard that Harish's parents fear about who will care for him as they age. Justice Pardiwala said, "All the three, i.e., the father, mother and younger brother, in one voice and with a lot of pain in their hearts, made a fervent appeal before us to take necessary steps to ensure that Harish does not suffer any more..." The Supreme Court's final decision is awaited.