‘Foeticide Cannot Be Permitted,’ Delhi HC Turns Down Woman’s Plea To Terminate Pregnancy

A 20-year-old unmarried woman was denied by the Delhi High Court to terminate her 28-week pregnancy.

“The petition is rejected,” said Justice Subramonium Prasad.

Petition rejected by HC

Last week, the court stated orally that it would not permit the woman to abort a “completely viable foetus” but it had reserved its decision on the petition.

On the matter, the judge said “I am not going to allow it for a completely viable foetus of 28 weeks. In the report, I can’t see any abnormality in the foetus. Foeticide cannot be permitted.”

The woman claimed in her plea that she became pregnant after a consensual relationship, but she recently discovered about her pregnancy.

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Gestation exceeded permissible limit to abort

As the gestation period exceeded the legally permissible limit of 24 weeks the doctors refused to terminate the pregnancy, the woman then requested the High Court to allow her to undergo medical termination of her 28-week pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.

Amit Mishra, the Advocate representing the woman said she was unaware of her pregnancy and on January 25 she came to know that she was already 27 weeks pregnant.

Advocates plea to the court

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The young woman is unmarried and no family member knows about her pregnancy, the advocate said. He also requested that the condition be considered.

He further requested the court to direct the All India Institue Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to medically examine the female to know the condition of the foetus and her physical and medical condition as well.