. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the medical termination of a 30-week pregnancy of a 17-year-old girl, observing that courts could not force a woman, especially a minor, to continue a pregnancy if she does not want to.A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan said the key issue was the minor’s right to decide whether she wanted to continue the pregnancy. They observed that the girl was a minor facing an unfortunate situation and did not wish to give birth. The court also considered the hospital medical board’s report, which stated there was no threat to the life of the mother or the child if the pregnancy continued. However, the judges said the girl’s reproductive autonomy must be respected.During the hearing, Justice Nagarathna said such cases involve difficult moral and legal questions. She pointed out that if courts do not allow safe medical termination in such situations, people may turn to unauthorised and unsafe medical providers, which can be dangerous.Why the ruling mattersMedical termination of pregnancy (MTP) is legal in India under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021. The law allows abortion up to 20 weeks with the opinion of one doctor. For certain categories, including minors, rape survivors, and women with disabilities, abortion is allowed between 20 and 24 weeks with the opinion of two doctors. The law also applies to unmarried women. By allowing the termination, the Supreme Court also showed that each case must be considered on its own facts, especially when a minor is involved and has clearly expressed unwillingness to continue the pregnancy. The decision underlines that courts can step in to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of women when required.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFrom Exam Stress to Life Skills: PM Modi Engages Students in Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026Deadly Blast At Shia Religious Centre In Islamabad Raises Questions On Pakistan’s Security Failures’New Phase In Bilateral Ties’: Indian High Commissioner Hails PM Modi’s ‘Historic’ Malaysia VisitNorway PM Questions World War II-Era UNSC, Echoes India’s Demand For Reform And Global South VoiceAs Bangladesh Elections Near, Hindu Minority Faces Rising Attacks, Islamist Return And State SilenceBeyond Tariffs: The India–US Deal and the Politics of OilIndia To Push For Tech Defence And Zakir Naik Extradition During PM Modi’s High Stakes Malaysia TripAAP Leader Lucky Oberoi Shot Dead Outside Gurdwara In Jalandhar, Raising Fresh Law Order FearsCricket Nationalism for Cameras, Dollars Dictate Reality? Why Pak Courted Ex-World Bank Chief BangaHAL Clarifies AMCA Status, Says It Will Bid For India’s Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet In 2035 Phase123Photostories10 iconic rajma dishes enjoyed across the globeApple TV shows to look forward to in 2026: ‘Imperfect Women’, ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ and morePrince Narula, Tejasswi Prakash, and more: Can you guess these reality TV stars from their childhood picsThe mystery behind Leonardo da Vinci’s lost masterpieces and what historians sayFall in love, Bollywood style: 5 saree looks perfect for Valentine’s Day‘Vadh 2’ star Neena Gupta’s 5 unfiltered views on motherhood and living life her wayTop 1% habits that make people respect you instantlyLong before ‘Dhurandhar,’ ‘Border 2,’ or ‘Jawan,’ THIS 1969 release shattered records by running to packed houses for 100 days, minting nine times its cost5 key factors that deeply impact the real estate market and what every buyer should knowWhat Lord Shiva symbol is meant for you based on your birth number123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingGCC Unified VisaRamadan 2026Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns InjuryPhiladelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers injury reportNFL Trade RumorsMyles Garrett GirlfriendSuryakumar YadavGhaziabad Suicide CaseJim BentT20 World Cup
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the medical termination of a 30-week pregnancy of a 17-year-old girl, observing that courts could not force a woman, especially a minor, to continue a pregnancy if she does not want to.A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan said the key issue was the minor’s right to decide whether she wanted to continue the pregnancy. They observed that the girl was a minor facing an unfortunate situation and did not wish to give birth. The court also considered the hospital medical board’s report, which stated there was no threat to the life of the mother or the child if the pregnancy continued. However, the judges said the girl’s reproductive autonomy must be respected.During the hearing, Justice Nagarathna said such cases involve difficult moral and legal questions. She pointed out that if courts do not allow safe medical termination in such situations, people may turn to unauthorised and unsafe medical providers, which can be dangerous.Why the ruling mattersMedical termination of pregnancy (MTP) is legal in India under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021. The law allows abortion up to 20 weeks with the opinion of one doctor. For certain categories, including minors, rape survivors, and women with disabilities, abortion is allowed between 20 and 24 weeks with the opinion of two doctors. The law also applies to unmarried women. By allowing the termination, the Supreme Court also showed that each case must be considered on its own facts, especially when a minor is involved and has clearly expressed unwillingness to continue the pregnancy. The decision underlines that courts can step in to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of women when required.
