A bench led by Justice BV Nagarathna set aside a Bombay High Court order that had denied permission to terminate a pregnancy beyond 30 weeks. The High Court had earlier suggested that the woman carry the pregnancy to term and consider giving the child up for adoption if she did not wish to raise it.
Supreme Court allows termination of 30-week pregnancy
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday, reaffirmed a woman’s right to reproductive autonomy, holding that no woman can be compelled to continue a pregnancy against her wishes.
A bench led by Justice BV Nagarathna set aside a Bombay High Court order that had denied permission to terminate a pregnancy beyond 30 weeks. The High Court had earlier suggested that the woman carry the pregnancy to term and consider giving the child up for adoption if she did not wish to raise it.
Allowing the termination, the Supreme Court made it clear that the courts cannot override a woman’s consent in matters concerning her body and reproductive choices.
The bench granted permission after reviewing the medical board’s report, which stated that ending the pregnancy would not pose any serious risk to the woman’s health.
The woman, who became pregnant at the age of 17, is now 18 years and four months old, with the pregnancy having reached 30 weeks. The court noted that the pregnancy resulted from a consensual relationship with a friend and observed that forcing her to continue would cause severe physical and mental distress.
The ruling underscores the Supreme Court’s emphasis on bodily autonomy and mental well-being while balancing medical considerations in cases involving late-term pregnancy termination.
