SC ALLOWS ABORTION OF 31-WEEK FOETUS

As per medical report, both kidneys of the foetus were not working

Taking note of a medical report that both the kidneys of a 31-week foetus are not functioning, the Supreme Court has allowed a woman, to abort her pregnancy. A bench of Justices A K Sikri, A.M. Sapre and Ashok Bhushan passed this order.

Taking note of a medical report that both the kidneys of a 31-week foetus are not functioning, the Supreme Court on Friday allowed a woman, to abort her pregnancy.

A bench of Justices A.K. Sikri, A.M. Sapre and Ashok Bhushan passed this order after perusing the report of the medical board of Mumbai-based JJ Hospital, where the woman was examined, stating that continuation of pregnancy would cause more mental anguish to her.

According to doctor’s opinion, the foetus has severe congenital problem and both its kidneys were

not functioning and the condition was not compatible to life after birth.”

The medical report said, “We feel that at this stage termination of pregnancy is not going to be more hazardous than spontaneous delivery at term. Considering poor prognosis of the baby, continuing pregnancy will cause more mental anguish to the mother,” the board said in its report submitted in the top court.

The bench in its brief order said, “The prayer made in the writ petition is allowed to the extent the petitioner (woman) is free to undergo medical termination of her pregnancy.”

The woman had approached the apex court seeking

its permission to abort her foetus on the ground that it was suffering from

severe anomaly.

Section 3(2)(b) of the Medical Termination of

Pregnancy Act prohibits abortion of a foetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy.