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Court refuses permission to abort 27 week old foetus
Developing a confusing jurisprudence on the right of women to terminate a pregnancy after 20 weeks, the Supreme Court refused to allow a woman who had been pregnant for 27 weeks to abort the foetus. The woman had petitioned to the Court seeking exemption from the 20 week rule under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, on the ground that the foetus had been diagnosed with several deformities and disorders. Relying upon the medical board’s findings that the time period for which the baby would survive could not be ascertained, and because there was no threat to life of the petitioner, the Court dismissed her petition.
Sheetal Shanker Salvi v. Union of India, Writ Petition (Civil) No.174 of 2017