Abortion could pose threat to woman: Expert report in Bombay HC

The Bombay high court (HC) has asked a senior doctor from KEM Hospital in Parel to assist in deciding on a petition seeking termination of a 27-week pregnancy.

The expert committee report submitted by the hospital stated that even though there was a zero percent chance of survival of the foetus, the mother was not in a position to undergo termination of the pregnancy owing to her own health issues, and hence should complete the full term.

A division bench of acting chief justice Naresh Patil and justice Girish Kulkarni were hearing the writ petition of the mother who had sought termination of her 27-week pregnancy on the grounds that sonography reports indicated that the foetus had anomalies and was not growing.

As its chances of survival were zero at birth, the mother wanted to terminate the pregnancy despite it being in an advanced stage.

The court referred to the KEM expert committee report which confirmed the claims of the petitioner with regards to the status of the foetus but added that as the mother was anaemic, had epilepsy, and weighed only 36kgs, allowing surgical removal of the foetus would pose a threat to her life.

Additional government pleader Kavita Solunke argued that in light of the report, allowing termination would be detrimental to the welfare of the mother.

After hearing the submissions, the court will hear from of Dr Padmaja Samant, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist from KEM on Tuesday before rendering its verdict.

First Published: Aug 14, 2018 05:45 IST