Supreme Court allows Mumbai woman to abort 25-week foetus with anencephaly

The foetus was diagnosed with a neurological disorder that causes absence of major portion of the skull and scalp, in the 19th week of pregnancy

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a 26-year-old woman from Nalasopara to abort her foetus in the 25th week of pregnancy. The order was passed on the basis of a medical report submitted by panel of doctors from JJ Hospital.

This is the tenth case in recent times where women had to tap the doors of the Supreme Court to allow them to abort a foetus with life-threatening conditions. (HT)

The foetus was diagnosed with anencephaly, a neurological disorder that causes absence of major portion of the skull and scalp, in the 19th week of pregnancy. Babies born with the condition have very little or no chance of survival.

“We consider it appropriate in the interest of justice and permit the petitioner to undergo medical termination of pregnancy under the provisions of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971,” said the apex court bench.

Doctors from JJ Hospital, who were asked to analyse the condition, mentioned in their report that medical evidence suggests no point in allowing the pregnancy to continue since the foetus would not be able to survive outside the uterus without a portion of its skull.

Sneha Mukherjee, lawyer of the petitioner said , “The family comes from outskirts of Mumbai where there were no nursing homes, which could abort the child. Moreover, the nursing home didn’t even refer her to a centre which could provide the abortion facility and by the time she reached an equipped center, she had already crossed the 20th week,” said Mukherjee.