According to the the principles and provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, a pregnant woman has the right to seek abortion under medically justified circumstances, the Delhi High Court stated on Saturday. In recent news, the Delhi High Court has permitted a 31-year-old woman to medically terminate her pregnancy while she is on her third trimester (30-weeks). The reasons stated by the High Court is that the foetus is suffering from a neuro-developmental disorder which means that the child may be born with severe abnormalities.
According to reports, the court added that women should not be compelled to carry a pregnancy to term if there are serious risks to the unborn child's health, in this case the risk being severe birth defects. The Delhi High Court passed this order on July 6th. Abortion Laws of India ensures that both the woman and the child is safe throughout the entire term of the pregnancy.
What Else Did The Delhi High Court Say? The woman who petitioned for an abortion in the Delhi High Court has stated that her first child also suffered from neurological handicaps. According to reports, she also stated to the court that in case the court does not allow the termination in the present case, "She and her family would be compelled to care for two children with significant neuro-developmental issues, requiring extensive, continuous, and advanced medical care potentially for their entire lives". The household that she comes from has limited financial means.