SC stays HC order on abortion of mentally challenged woman

SC stayed the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing termination of the pregnancy of a mentally challenged orphan.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing termination of the pregnancy of a mentally challenged orphan who was raped at a Nari Niketan in Chandigarh.

“We stay the operation of the High Court order,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said.

Following detection of pregnancy,the Chandigarh administration had earlier came to the conclusion that in her best interest,the woman,now approaching the critical 20th week of pregnancy,needed to undergo a medical abortion. The administration moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a nod for the decision. On July 17,the High Court gave the administration the go-ahead to have the pregnancy medically terminated.

After the expiry of the 20th week of pregnancy,it is illegal to abort a foetus as per provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.

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