Centre sent notice as plea in HC alleges ‘bias against’ single women

The Delhi high court has sought a response from the central government on a plea that questions an alleged discrimination against unmarried women who want to terminate their pregnancy after 20 weeks.

The upper gestation limit for termination of pregnancy is 24 weeks for special categories, including survivors of rape and other vulnerable women such as the differently abled and minors. The corresponding window for women in consensual relationships is 20 weeks.

The order came while rejecting a plea by a 25- year- old unmarried woman seeking to undergo medical termination of pregnancy at 23 weeks and five days. A bench of chief justice Satish Chandra Sharma and justice Subramonium Prasad on Friday declined to provide relief, even though a detailed order in this regard was released on Saturday in which the court agreed to examine the legality of the provision.

The woman had moved court citing her unmarried status and

A file photo of the Delhi high court.

a failed relationship where her partner ditched her at about 18 weeks of pregnancy. Social stigma coupled with mental and financial constraints have compelled her to approach the court to terminate the pregnancy at an advanced stage, her counsel contended on Friday.

In its detailed order, the bench said the woman was not permitted to do so under the abortion law. “The petitioner... is clearly not covered by any of the clauses under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules, 2003,” the court noted in its order dated July 15.

The matter would be next heard on August 26.