Woman approaches Bombay High Court to terminate her 22-week-old foetus

Mumbai: A young mother has approached the Bombay high court seeking permission to terminate her 22-week-old foetus under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act 1971.

Her foetus has multiple brain abnormalities due to which her chances of survival are few after giving birth. The court has constituted an expert committee of JJ Hospital doctors and directed them to submit a report on Monday. As per the MTP act, court’s permission is required to terminate a foetus after it is 20-week-old.

Before filing the petition various doctors including the radiologist who have performed the ultra sound and gynecologist opined her that her foetus is suffering fetal anomaly. Doctors also stated in report that this kind of children may suffer paralysis and severe mental retardation or irreparable brain damage.

Petitioner lady has submitted various Supreme Court and high court judgments in her favour. Division bench of Justice S.M. Kemkar and Nitin Sambre then constituted a committee of JJ group of hospitals. The medical board of experts shall consist of dean, Head Of Deaprtment (HOD) of gynecology, urology and nephrology, professor and HOD of pediatric cardiac surgeon and radiology and psychology of said college.

The high court has directed the said committee to examine her within three days and submit the report and kept the hearing on Monday July 25.