Supreme Court Rejects Plea to Terminate 26-Week Pregnancy

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday quashed a married woman’s plea to terminate her 26-week pregnancy.

The apex court stated that it could not approve an abortion request at this stage of pregnancy since there is no danger to the woman’s life.

The parents of the woman can make the decision of whether to give the child up for adoption, said the Supreme Court.

“The pregnancy is of 26 weeks and 5 days. Thus, permitting termination of pregnancy would violate Sections 3 & 5 of the MTP Act since there is no immediate threat to the mother in the matter and this is not a case of foetal abnormality,” stated the Chief Justice of India (CJI). He directed the government to bear all medical costs.

The petitioner sought termination of her pregnancy on the ground that she is suffering from post partum psychosis.

The CJI gave the decision after going through the fresh AIIMS report which said there is no issue if the woman continues with the pregnancy.