Delhi High Court Allows Medical Termination Of Pregnancy Of 22 Weeks Old Foetus Suffering From Multiple Abnormalities

The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed the medical termination of pregnancy of a woman who had completed 22 weeks of gestation period on account of suffering from multiple abnormalities.

A single judge bench comprising of Justice Rekha Palli perused the report of the 9 member expert medical board constituted by AIIMS to ascertain the feasibility of the woman undergoing medical termination of pregnancy.

Keeping in view the opinion given by the medical board which had observed that the parents opted to discontinue with the pregnancy and the board agreeing to the said decision, the Court ordered thus:

"Keeping in view of the aforesaid and specifically the report of the expert committee appointed by AIIMS, I'm of the view that the petitioner be permitted to undergo Medical Termination of pregnancy."

The Court also interacted with the lady and her husband, who were present via video conferencing, who had confirmed that they were aware of the risk associated with the pregnancy.

"The petitioner is granted permission to get her pregnancy terminated in the hospital of her choice i.e. Lady Harding Hospital." The Court directed.

The Court also directed the treating gynaecologist at the hospital to ensure that the woman is able to undertake the medical termination of pregnancy at the earliest.

"The Court appreciates the steps taken by AIIMS in promptly constituting the medical board." The Court added.

The development came after the Court had earlier directed All India Institute of Medical Sciences to constitute a medical board in order to submit its report on medical termination of pregnancy.

During the previous course of hearing, Advocate Sneha Mukherjee appearing for the petitioner woman had submitted that she was seeking termination of pregnancy on the basis of sonography report and also the opinion of the treating doctor that the foetus was suffering from various defects.

It was submitted that the foetus was suffering from multiple abnormalities including multiple deformity in feet, spinal cord and malfunction in brain etc.

It was thus submitted that if the woman is not permitted to terminate her pregnancy, there was every likelihood that the foetus, which is already suffering from various defects will not survive and that the same is likely to cause her grave mental and physical trauma.