Last week, the Delhi High Court had refused the permission for abortion to the 25-year-old unmarried woman. The court told her to consider the option of adoption. “We will not permit you to kill that child. (We are) very sorry. This virtually amounts to killing (the foetus),” said the court orally as it noted that almost 24 of the 36 weeks of gestation were over.
While 24 weeks is the acceptable upper gestation limit for the termination of pregnancy for special categories, including survivors of rape and other vulnerable women such as the differently-abled and minors, for unmarried women, the window remains 20 weeks.
The woman had moved court citing her unmarried status and a failed relationship wherein her partner “ditched” her at the last moment (about 18 weeks of pregnancy).
