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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Minor seeks permission from Delhi high court to terminate pregnancy after sexual assault, HC asks AIIMS for report
New Delhi: A 16-year-old minor victim of sexual assault sought the Delhi High Court 's nod on Friday to terminate her 26-week-old pregnancy. Taking note of her plight, HC asked for a report about the feasibility of carrying out the termination procedure from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after it was informed that, on intimation of the police, the hospital set up a board on Friday itself. "Keeping in mind the urgency cited, the above medical board is directed to conduct the necessary medical examination and to give the requisite report. Let such report be transmitted to this Court in a sealed envelope on or before 30 June 2025, or the investigating officer of the case would be permitted to collect such sealed envelope, containing the report, from the concerned medical board," Justice Manoj Jain noted. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The girl, who was sexually assaulted twice, moved the court through her mother and informed her that she is currently at an approximate 26-week gestational period as per the latest ultrasound findings. Since the current gestational age is beyond the permissible limit of 24 weeks, the mother sought the intervention of the HC for termination of the pregnancy, claiming that the minor learnt only on 21 June 2025 that she was pregnant. Through their counsel, the mother-daughter duo said she wants to terminate the pregnancy arising out of the alleged sexual assault and sought that a medical board be constituted to submit its medical opinion in terms of Section 3(2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The plea also sought a clear direction to the authorities to medically terminate such pregnancy as she is not willing to continue with it. It was also submitted that since the pregnancy is a direct consequence of sexual assault, the anguish caused by such pregnancy is required to be presumed as a grave injury to her mental health. Aware of the urgency of the situation, as the minor is a victim of sexual assault, the court asked AIIMS to immediately examine the victim and furnish a report so that it can take a call if she is fit to undergo the procedure. Last year, the HC, in a separate matter of a widow suffering from depression, recalled its nod for termination of the fetus after AIIMS, where the woman was medically examined, opined against it. In its report, AIIMS said as per the MTP Act, the provision of termination of pregnancies beyond 24 weeks is to be done for fetuses having significant abnormalities and "feticide in this case is neither justified nor ethical as the fetus is grossly normal. "
Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai high court allows 14-year-old rape survivor to end 26-week pregnancy
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Thursday allowed a 14-year-old rape survivor to end her 26-week pregnency after a medical board said that she was allowed to undergo a Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP). A division bench of justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale let the minor terminate the advanced pregnancy after acknowledging her right to reproductive freedom, her autonomy over her body, her right to choice, and after consulting a medical board. Under the MTP Act, 2021, 24 weeks is the permissible limit to end a pregnancy, but the minor approached the Bombay high court after crossing the 24-week limit and said that she was only 14 years old and was unable and unwilling to carry the pregnancy forward. The court, on June 6, responded by ordering the civil surgeon, Alibag, to constitute a medical board to examine the minor's physical and mental health and submit a report to the court. The medical board said that since the girl was a minor the MTP could be allowed after treating her anemia. Additional government pleader MP Thakur asked the court to pass orders based on the medical board's report. Members of the medical court assessed her anemia and told the court on June 10 that her hemoglobin levels had risen sufficiently and she was fit to undergo the procedure. Once doctors said that the MTP would not complicate the minor's future pregnancies the court allowed her to undergo the procedure and end her pregnancy.
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
MTP kit sales plummet in Haryana after crackdown
Following a state-wide crackdown on the sale of abortion pills--both legal and illegal--in the last four months, there has been a dramatic fall in the demand for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits across Haryana, official data shows. From a peak of 40,763 MTP kits supplied by 32 wholesalers in the first fortnight of March, across 22 districts to retail medical shops and the certified MTP centres, the figures have nosedived to near-zero in at least 19 districts by early June, according to the official data compiled by the state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). The data shows that 30,877 MTP kits were sold by the wholesalers in the second fortnight of March, and it came down to 25,721 between April 1 and April 15. Of the total 1,02,752 MTP kits sold between March 1 and June 9, as many as 87,770 MTP kits were sold by two Sonepat based wholesalers. While 10 districts have one each wholesaler, Ambala and Faridabad district have five each wholesalers of MTP Kits, followed by four in Panchkula and three each in Gurugram and Rohtak. This crackdown, spearheaded by additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal, is a part of a broader strategy to prevent sex-selective abortions through coordinated monitoring. After Rajpal set up the State Task Force (STF) on February 6 and began cracking the whip to improve Haryana's sex ratio at birth (SRB) under the flagship Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign, authorities have also seized about 8,800 MTP kits being sold illegally, registered over 50 FIRs, including at least 18 against online sellers of the MTP kits. According to Haryana state drug controller Manmohan Taneja, the FDA's data analysis shows 'no recorded sales of MTP kits in several key periods after mid-May', with the exception of a few pockets such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala and Yamunanagar, which still reported some activity, though far reduced. 'The FDA has directed the wholesalers not to sell MTP kits to medical shops even as they can directly supply the kits to registered MTP centres. Ever since the crackdown began, we have been tracking the sale of MTP kits from wholesale suppliers to MTP centers and the patients to whom it was given. Now every MTP kit sold is being tracked up to the patient who was prescribed the medicine by the MTP center,' said Taneja. Enforcement action As per the FDA data, between February 11 and June 9, a total of 27 medical shops were sealed across the state for selling MTP kits illegally. In addition, FIRs were registered against 29 individuals and establishments for violations under the MTP Act and related laws. These included medical stores, nursing homes, and unregistered practitioners operating without authorisation in districts such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat, Palwal and Rohtak. The accused were booked under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the MTP Act, along with provisions of the Essential Commodities Act and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, where applicable. The violations under the MTP Act are punishable with rigorous imprisonment ranging from two to seven years. These offences are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. FDA officials said the crackdown was aimed at curbing the illegal distribution and misuse of abortion pills, particularly in areas where unregulated sales were rampant. 'We have acted swiftly against violators and will continue our surveillance to ensure that MTP kits are sold only through authorised channels and with valid prescriptions,' an FDA officer said. The steep fall in sales figures is being viewed as a success by the state government in regulating access to abortion drugs, though public health experts have cautioned that legitimate access for women in need must not be hampered in the process.
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- India Gazette
Minor rape survivor refuses abortion, withdraws plea before Delhi HC; shifted to shelter home for care
By Dhiraj Beniwal New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): A minor rape survivor has informed the Delhi High court of her decision to carry her 29-week pregnancy to term, going against her parents' wishes. Consequently, she withdrew the petition that had sought permission for medical termination of the pregnancy. Acknowledging her plea for alternative accommodation, the court directed that the girl be housed at Nirmal Chhaya, a shelter home in Delhi, and ordered authorities to ensure her proper care during the remainder of her pregnancy. During the hearing before the bench of Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, the minor stated that her parents are opposing her decision. As a result, she may be unable to stay at her parental home. She prayed that the court pass directions to provide her with accommodation in a shelter home. 'In view of the above, this Court is of the view that the Petitioner can be accommodated in Nirmal Chhaya, Hari Nagar, Delhi,' Justice Shankar said in an order passed on June 4. 'Let necessary steps be taken by the Investigation Officer in conjunction with the authorities of Nirmal Chhaya, Hari Nagar and the concerned authorities of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, for ensuring that Ms. K is kept in safe custody,' Justice Shankar ordered. The court also directed the authorities concerned to ensure that Ms. X's pregnancy goes through without any difficulty and to provide all such support as required. In view of the minor's wish, the petition was dismissed as withdrawn. Advocate Anwesh Madhukar appeared for her petitioner. The High Court was dealing with a petition moved by parents on behalf of their minor daughter seeking permission to terminate her 29-week pregnancy, which occurred on account of sexual assault. An FIR was also registered in this case by the Delhi Police. The High Court, while hearing the petition on May 29, gave directions for the constitution of a medical board at Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital to examine the victim. The board submitted a report on May 30. The board had opined that it is not medically safe for the Petitioner to undergo termination of the pregnancy, considering the gestation period and her current medical condition. She was administered two units of blood in the hospital, two doctors said, as her haemoglobin level was low. Thereafter, the High Court directed the doctors at DDU Hospital to provide all necessary medical treatment to the Petitioner to address her current symptoms of low haemoglobin, infection, and fever. The MTP Board of DDU Hospital shall review the Petitioner's case after giving her the necessary treatment and furnish a fresh opinion thereon. After carefully assessing her physical and mental health, as per the MTP Act, MTP (Amendment) Rules, 2021, as well as the 'Guidance Note for Medical Boards for Termination of Pregnancy Beyond 20 weeks of Gestation', of 14th August, 2017, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The High Court has also called for a fresh report in this regard, which shall positively be submitted for the perusal of this Court, on or before the next date of hearing. On the next hearing, the petitioner refused to terminate the pregnancy and withdrew the petition. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
HC asks hospital to form panel to see if woman with chronic illness can undergo abortion
New Delhi, The Delhi High Court has directed Safdarjung Hospital to form a medical board to ascertain if a 29-week pregnant woman suffering from a chronic kidney disease could undergo abortion. Justice Sachin Datta said in case the medical board opined that the termination of pregnancy was warranted, the hospital would proceed with procedure on the 39-year-old woman. "It is directed that a medical board be constituted at the Safdarjung hospital for the examination of the petitioner, for the purpose of assessing whether the present case qualifies for medical termination of pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act , 1971," the high court said. In its May 29 order, the court called it a matter of medical emergency in which the woman's life was in danger though no foetal abnormality was diagnosed. The woman moved the high court seeking permission to terminate her pregnancy, which was of 27 weeks at the time, as doctors opined a serious risk to the her life if the pregnancy continued. She moved the court as doctors expressed their inability to proceed due to the statutory restrictions under the MTP Act, limiting such procedures to 20 weeks in ordinary cases and 24 weeks in certain categories such as rape survivors. The woman said she was undergoing treatment for her condition at a private hospital in Gurugram and she learnt about her pregnancy only on April 22. She subsequently approached Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital and over the following few weeks, the doctors conducted a series of tests, informing her about her 27-week pregnancy on May 19 and the complications it posed. Safdarjung Hospital was represented by senior panel counsel Farman Ali. During the hearing, the judge interacted with a doctor of the hospital through video-conferencing when she informed about the petitioner's chronic kidney disease, warranting the termination of her pregnancy.
