India

Delhi High Court Denies Abortion Request for 20-Year-Old Unmarried Woman at 27 Weeks Pregnant

A 20-year-old unmarried woman’s plea to terminate her 27-week pregnancy was rejected by the Delhi High Court, citing the fetus’s health and viability, deeming feticide morally and legally unacceptable.

Justice Subramaniam Prasad, examining the medical report, emphasized the absence of congenital abnormalities or potential risks to the mother. As the fetus is healthy and viable, continuation of the pregnancy was deemed necessary, with feticide considered unethical and unlawful.

Concerns were raised regarding the potential harm to both the newborn and the mother if the pregnancy were terminated, including the risk of premature delivery and adverse effects on future pregnancies.

The court advised the petitioner to seek assistance from AIIMS, New Delhi, for delivery and further guidance, assuring access to necessary facilities. Additionally, the Central government was highlighted as an avenue for adoption if the woman wished to pursue that option.

The petitioner, preparing for the NEET exam, expressed distress over the pregnancy’s impact on her education and future prospects. However, the court underscored the absence of conditions warranting abortion under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, which allows termination beyond 24 weeks only in cases of fetal abnormalities or risks to the mother’s life.

Also read: PV Narasimha Rao’s Family Meets PM Modi in Hyderabad, Expresses Gratitude for Bharat Ratna Honor

The woman’s lawyer argued the potential risks associated with continuing the pregnancy, including social stigma and career jeopardy. Nonetheless, the court upheld its decision based on the legal framework provided by the MTP Act.

In essence, the court’s ruling reflects the complex balance between protecting the rights of the unborn and addressing the concerns of the pregnant woman, navigating the delicate terrain of reproductive rights within the bounds of existing legal provisions.

Kavya Bhatt

Recent Posts

Jamia Students Back Waqf Amendment Bill; Call It A Step Toward Empowerment

The student group 'Shaher-E-Arzoo' expressed firm support for the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it a…

2 hours ago

India’s Exports To The US Face Limited Impact From Tariff Hike: SBI Report

The 27% tariff hike by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods will have only…

2 hours ago

Waqf Freed From Mafia Control, New Era Of Development Begins For Muslims: MRM

Following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in both Houses of Parliament, celebrations…

3 hours ago

India’s Forex Reserves Surge To $665.4 Billion; Rupee Strengthens As Trade Deficit Narrows

India’s forex reserves jumped $6.6 billion to a five-month high of $665.4 billion for the…

4 hours ago

Laxmi Singh Leads Gautam Buddha Nagar Police To Historic No 1 Rank In IGRS Across All Stations

Gautam Buddha Nagar Police, led by CP Laxmi Singh, achieved a historic feat with all…

5 hours ago

Avoid Rhetoric That Vitiates Atmosphere, Ensure Safety Of Hindus In Bangladesh: PM Modi Tells Yunus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Bangladesh to bring perpetrators of atrocities against Hindus and…

5 hours ago