J J docs to study plea to terminate 27-week foetus

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed  J.J. Hospital's medical board to ascertain the claims of a 27-week-pregnant woman, who is seeking termination of her pregnancy on grounds that her foetus has abnormalities in the heart, brain and lacks a stomach.

In light of the advanced stage of pregnancy, the court has directed the medical board to get the opinion of experts and submit the report on whether abortion can be permitted by January 8.

A vacation bench headed by justice S.K.Shinde was hearing a writ petition filed by the woman, claiming reliefs including constitution of a committee of doctors to examine her and submit a report as to whether she can be allowed to terminate her pregnancy.

According to the petitioner, an ultrasonography conducted on her by Dr Nikhil Datar on December 26 2017, revealed that the foetus had abnormalities. The petition, argued by advocate Meenaz Kakalia, stressed on the fact that if the pregnancy was allowed to continue, it could pose a threat to the mother and the child would not survive which is why termination was necessary.

After hearing the submissions and going through the ultrasonography report, justice Shinde directed the medical board of Sir J.J. Hospital to examine the petitioner on January 4 and submit its report on January 8. As termination of pregnancy is permitted only upto 20 weeks, the bench directed the medical board to ascertain various other aspects such as health of the petitioner and possible threat to her life if the pregnancy was terminated at this advanced stage.