Delhi HC allows woman to medically terminate 30-week pregnancy

Delhi High Court allows woman to terminate pregnancy at 30 weeks due to severe foetal abnormalities, citing health concerns.

The Delhi High Court has allowed a 31-year-old woman to undergo medical termination of her pregnancy of around 30 weeks after the foetus was found to have a neuro-developmental disorder.

The court, in an order passed on July 6, said the law ensures that women are not compelled to carry such pregnancies to term where the child would be born with severe abnormalities.

In view of a report given by a board of doctors from AIIMS, the court observed that the diagnosis indicated that the child, if born, would likely face severe neurological impairments and extensive health challenges on account of 'Joubert Syndrome'.

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The court further noted that the first child of the petitioner woman also suffered from neurological handicaps and if the medical termination of pregnancy is not allowed in this 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 burden of raising two children with severe disabilities in a household with limited financial resources is a daunting prospect that would likely lead to grave injury to the petitioner's mental health, it added.

"Considering the substantial risk of serious neurological difficulties and the adherence to the established medical guidelines, the court finds the recommendation of the AIIMS Medical Board to be well-founded in evidence and in the best interest of the Petitioner's health and the potential quality of life for the child. Petitioner is permitted to undergo medical termination of pregnancy at a medical facility of her choice," Justice Sanjeev Narula said in the order.