The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed the termination of a 22-week foetus. The single-judge bench of Justice Rekha Palli passed this order on a plea seeking medical termination of pregnancy of a 32-year-old woman.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had constituted a nine-member board headed by Dr Madhulika Kalra, Department of Pediatrics, to examine the feasibility of termination of petitioner’s pregnancy. The board upon examination of the petitioner and her medical records stated that the foetus is suffering from neural tube defect at lumbo-sacral region with lower lumbar scoliosis along with ventriculomegaly. The board further submitted that the parents opted to discontinue with the pregnancy and the board agreed with their decision.
The petitioner and her husband stated that they are aware of the risks involved in the termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks but after consultation with doctors and family members, keeping in view of the deformities suffered by the fetus, have taken a considered decision and are desirous of termination of pregnancy.
The court directed the treating gynaecologist at Lady Hardinge Hospital to undertake the process of termination of the petitioner’s pregnancy at the earliest. The court also appreciated AIIMS for expeditiously forming a medical board.
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On the last date of hearing, the High Court of Delhi had directed AIIMS to expeditiously constitute a medical board to examine the petitioner and the feasibility of termination of pregnancy, the court had further instructed AIIMS to furnish a report to the court by August 2, 2021.