India – Women don’t have absolute right to abort: Government to SC

Women don’t have absolute right to abort: Government to SC
The affidavit says an amendment in the law is in works and that it has sought “changes in section 5 MTP Act on grounds of substantial foetal abnormalities.

Sep 19, 2019
HT Correspondent, New Delhi

A pregnant woman does not have an absolute right to abort her pregnancy and the right to abortion has to be balanced against compelling state interest to protect the mother’s health and life of the unborn child, asserts the ministry of health and family welfare in an affidavit filed by it in the Supreme Court.

The affidavit, filed in response to a petition by Dr Nikhil Datar which seeks to raise the cap for terminating pregnancy from the current 20 weeks to 26 weeks and the quashing of section 5 of the Act, says an amendment in the law is in works and that it has sought “changes in section 5 MTP Act on grounds of substantial foetal abnormalities. The draft has been sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice for vetting.”

Continued: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/women-don-t-have-absolute-right-to-abort-government-to-sc/story-xJYnwFibwU7Jezm5yRRu0H.html