New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined a 27-year-old woman’s plea to terminate her 26-week pregnancy, citing that such a request would violate provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, passed the order, observing that there was no imminent danger to the mother’s health and no foetal abnormalities were detected.
The court noted that the pregnancy has crossed over 24 weeks, and termination of a 26-week pregnancy can not be allowed as it would violate the provisions under the MTP Act.
The court ordered that all medical expenses should be covered by the government, and the delivery must be carried out by AIIMS at the appropriate time. The court also suggested that the mother had the option to consider giving the child up for adoption.
The woman had sought the termination of her 26-week pregnancy, whereas the Centre has filed an application seeking a recall of the top court’s order by which the woman’s petition has been allowed. In her affidavit, she stated that her mental condition and health issues make her unwilling to continue the pregnancy.