The Supreme Court on Tuesday admitted the petition of a 20-year-old woman who wanted to terminate her pregnancy on the grounds of domestic violence. On June 19, the Bombay High Court had refused to entertain the plea of the 22-week pregnant woman.
The woman has now entered the 24th week of pregnancy. “Let us see what the court feels about the mental anguish caused by all this. Is it sufficient reason for termination?” wrote gynaecologist Dr. Nikhil Datar on his social media page.
According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP) 1971, a foetus can’t be aborted after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
ADVERTISEMENT
The woman was almost living in confinement with her husband till she crossed 20 weeks of pregnancy and her education was discontinued too. Her husband left her and she is now living with her mother.