Nagpur: The Supreme Court’s decision to allow passive euthanasia for a comatose Harish Rana has brought back painful memories for the Berry family of Gadikhana in central Nagpur. A decade on, the scars are still raw, but the Berrys praised the apex court for its bold decision and the Ranas for displaying courage.The Berrys lost their daughter Dolly, a bright 23-year-old choreographer and anchor, to a six-and-a-half-year struggle in a vegetative state.Back then, the case had triggered protests, candle marches, and media debates in central India. On July 2016, after a miscarriage and a broken love marriage, Dolly tried to hang herself at home. Her family saved her, but she never woke up fully. Dolly stayed bedridden, unable to move or speak and was fed through tubes. For six years, the Berrys spent over 2 crore on medicines, nurses, and intensive care. As Dolly remained bedridden, battling bedsores, pneumonia, and fever, her husband out on bail after being charged with causing her abortion (315 IPC) and cruelty (498A IPC) — remains free. “As justice hangs in balance, its ‘tareek pe tareek’ in court (repeated dates). Her family quietly prays for peace to finally reach Dolly’s weary soul,” said a kin. “Festivals like Diwali felt empty. Dolly was there, but not really. No one could go on a holiday or even step out of the house. Someone always had to sit by her side. Bedsores and pneumonia kept coming,” said Dolly’s sister, Deepika, adding she passed away quietly in August 2022.The family never went to court to seek euthanasia. “We were scared. We thought it meant abandoning her. Relatives abroad suggested it, but we refused,” she said.Now, witnessing Delhi’s Rana family win permission from Supreme Court to end Harish Rana’s suffering, the Berrys feel both sad and proud. “We couldn’t do it for Dolly. But the Ranas had the courage. We salute them and SC,” said Deepika.Every update on Harish Rana makes Dolly’s mother, Neelam, cry. She sits on the sofa, remembers Dolly’s dance moves, and wipes her tears. “We tried everything. We kept her with us till the end,” Deepika whispered. The family now wants India to change the law. “People in a vegetative state hang by a thread, neither alive nor dead. It’s cruel for the family. No joy, no peace. Let us decide with dignity,” she said.The Berrys thank the Rana family for what they call “freeing a soul” and hope no one else suffers like they did. The family said Dolly was full of life — dancing, hosting shows, dreaming big. One wrong choice changed everything. “Today, her story reminds us that love isn’t enough. Sometimes, letting go is the kindest thing,” said Deepika.
