Ahmedabad: Mental hospital seeks court nod to terminate patient’s pregnancy

AHMEDABAD: The superintendent of the Government Mental Hospital at Dilli Darwaja moved the city sessions court, requesting its permission to terminate the pregnancy of a 25-year-old mentally unwell woman.
The woman was found by Navrangpura police on June 1. Due to her mental condition, the police obtained an order from the metropolitan court No. 12 to place her under observation at the mental hospital, under the Mental Healthcare Act.
During her treatment, it was found that she was pregnant. She was referred to the Civil Hospital, where it was revealed that she was carrying a 16-week pregnancy. Almost a month has passed since then.
In his application through public prosecutor Sudhir Brahmbhatt, the hospital superintendent informed the court that the woman is not in a condition to look after herself and her pregnancy. She could not provide any information about herself or her family. She said she is not married.
On June 27, the hospital’s boards of visitors’ committee met and spoke to the woman and ascertained her desire that she did not want to continue with her pregnancy. Citing medical certificates and the minutes of the meeting, the superintendent said that the woman is not in a position to take care of herself and her pregnancy. He sought permission from the court to abort her fetus under Section 3(2) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, since the pregnancy has now advanced beyond 20 weeks and abortion is not possible without court’s nod.
The court will hear this application in the coming days.