Maharashtra orders private hospitals to set up medical boards for passive euthanasia

The Maharashtra government's Public Health Department in Mumbai has issued a directive ordering private hospitals to establish primary and secondary medical boards to handle passive euthanasia cases and patients' living wills.

The Government Resolution (GR), which was issued on Friday, July 17, 2026, lays down a formal medical and legal framework for private hospitals to examine and process requests for the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.

This state-level decision follows a Supreme Court of India judgment delivered on March 11, 2026, in the Harish Rana case. The newly issued guidelines aim to ensure that private healthcare facilities across Maharashtra can systematically handle end-of-life decisions in strict accordance with the guidelines set by the apex court.

Under the new directive, the primary and secondary medical boards will be responsible for evaluating cases involving passive euthanasia and patients' living wills. These boards will review the clinical circumstances to determine whether the withdrawal of life-support systems is appropriate and legally compliant.