SC urges Centre for comprehensive law on passive euthanasia; allows withdrawal of life support

• Supreme Court urges Union Government to enact comprehensive legislation on passive euthanasia for clarity and certainty.
• Top court allowed withdrawal of artificial life support for 32-year-old Harish Rana, in a coma for over 13 years, citing negligible recovery prospects.
• Bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan noted the field remains largely unregulated despite profound constitutional, ethical, and medical dimensions.
• SC emphasized judicial intervention is a temporary constitutional bridge until Parliament legislates, safeguarding fundamental rights.
• Lack of legislation exposes vulnerable citizens to systemic risks, potentially blurring genuine best-interest decisions with economic distress.