SC directs termination of 26-week-old pregnancy with abnormal foetus

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed a Kolkata-based expectant mother with 26-week-old pregnancy to abort the foetus which is suffering from serious abnormalities.

A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar directed that the pregnancy be terminated forthwith at the SSKM Hospital after seeing the report of medical board which had examined the expectant mother and the foetus.

The bench said: "Keeping in view the report of the medical board, we are inclined to allow the prayer and direct medical termination of pregnancy."

The top court had on June 23 set up a panel of seven doctors to ascertain the medical condition of the expectant mother seeking the termination of her (then) 24-week-old pregnancy.

The parents have also challenged the constitutional validity of Section 3(2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 that prohibits termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks.

They have contended that restriction could have been reasonable in 1971 when the law was enacted but today with technological advancement it was perfectly safe to undergo MTP even up to 26 weeks.

--IANS

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