Supreme Court denies plea to abort 26-week Pregnancy

The Supreme Court on Monday denied a plea to abort a 26-week pregnancy, saying that it could not approve an abortion request at this stage of pregnancy since there is no danger to the woman’s life.

The three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, also said that the fetus is not suffering from any abnormalities, as mentioned in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.

The court’s decision came after a married woman petitioned the court to allow her to terminate her pregnancy, saying that she was suffering from post-partum psychosis after her previous delivery in September 2022.

The woman’s lawyers argued that her mental health was at risk if she was forced to carry the pregnancy to term. However, the court said that the medical reports did not indicate that a termination was immediately necessary.

The court also said that it was up to the woman to decide whether or not to give up the child for adoption.

The court’s decision has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised the court for upholding the rights of the unborn child, while others have criticized the decision for not taking into account the woman’s mental health.

It is important to note that the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, allows for abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

However, abortions after 24 weeks are only allowed in certain cases, such as when the mother’s life is in danger or when the fetus suffers from serious abnormalities.

The court’s decision in this case highlights the complexity of the issue of abortion. It is important to balance the rights of the unborn child with the rights of the woman who is pregnant.