- The Centre has informed the Delhi High Court that it has initiated the process for an inter-ministerial consultation on raising the time period to terminate pregnancy
- The response has come on backdrop of a PIL filed in the Delhi High Court for extending the time period to terminate pregnancy to 24 to 26 weeks in case of health risks to the mother or foetus.
- The petitioner had sought amendment to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The Act currently prohibits abortion post 20 weeks.
- Permission of a High Court is required beyond 20 weeks and courts can make exceptions if abnormalities are detected and if there is substantial risk to the mother’s life and health.
- A pending bill in Parliament proposes to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act to extend the legally permissible period to end a pregnancy to 24 weeks.
