Plea Seeking Termination Of Pregnancy Due To Abnormalities In Foetus, Delhi HC Directs Aiims To Constitute Expert Committee To Examine The Petitioner

Delhi High Court has directed the Dean of All India Institute of Medical Sciences to constitute a Committee of Experts to examine a woman who’s seeking termination of pregnancy in the 23rd week due to abnormalities and comorbidities in the foetus. Moving an urgent plea for termination of pregnancy under sections 3(2) and 5 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, the Petitioner submitted that her pregnancy has reached the 23rd gestational week and the foetus suffers from spinal and cardiac defects that makes it improbable for the foetus to survive, causing extreme trauma to the Petitioner. The Petitioner further submitted that if her plea is not addressed urgently, it will cause severe health complications to her. The Petitioner has also challenged the validity of section 3(2) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act which restricts the right to terminate pregnancy to 20 gestational weeks.