Supreme Court Grants Permission to
Terminate 31-Week Pregnancy
¨ The Supreme Court allowed
a 15-year-old girl to medically terminate her 31-week pregnancy.
¨
It emphasized that
reproductive autonomy is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the
Constitution.
¨ Forcing a minor to
continue an unwanted pregnancy violates her dignity, privacy, and personal
liberty.
¨
The judgment was
delivered by a bench of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan.
¨
The Court held that a
woman’s right to make decisions about her body is an integral part of personal
liberty.
¨ It stated that no woman,
especially a minor, should be forced to continue a pregnancy against her will.
¨
The Court considered the
minor’s severe psychological condition.
¨
She was under extreme
mental stress and had reportedly attempted suicide twice.
¨ Continuing the pregnancy
could cause serious emotional, physical, and psychological harm.
¨
It would be a direct
violation of her right to live with dignity.
¨
The government cited the
24-week legal limit under the MTP Act.
¨
It also warned of medical
risks and suggested adoption after birth.
¨
However, the Court ruled
that in exceptional cases involving minors, the best interests of the child
should take priority over procedural limits.
