The Punjab and Haryana High Court has allowed a woman claiming to have been raped on false promise of marriage to terminate the pregnancy of over 12 weeks, observing that an unwanted pregnancy may.
The Delhi High Court reversed a January 4 order allowing a 29-week pregnant woman to terminate her pregnancy, citing an Aiims panel s opinion that foeticide is neither justified nor ethical. The Indian Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, which was amended in 2021, does not recognize abortion as a woman s choice, as seen in 73 countries.
"Where the denial of dignity and social as well as family acceptance or approval is a writing on the wall, it compounds agony of the child and leads to greater injustice", the Punjab & Haryana High.
On obtaining such affidavit, the investigating officer was directed to produce the same before the medical board, only after which the pregnancy would be terminated, the Court ordered.
The Delhi High Court has allowed a widow with depression to terminate her 29-week pregnancy, citing mental stability issues. The Supreme Court had earlier rejected a woman s plea for termination of her 26-week pregnancy stating that the pregnancy is not a foetal abnormality and the length of pregnancy exceeds 24 weeks.