<p>The Indian Supreme Court has turned down the plea of a 26-week pregnant woman for abortion on the grounds that she is suffering from a mental condition called post-partum psychosis.</p>

<p>The apex court also admitted the central government’s submission that it is willing to undertake the expenses of delivery and if parents desire, facilitate the child's adoption.</p>

<p>In the petition, the woman, who already has two children, said that she was suffering from post-partum psychosis and was not in a position to raise a third child, emotionally, financially, and physically.</p>

<p>The bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud reached the decision based on a report by the AIIMS medical board that the pregnancy is not an immediate danger to the life of the woman and that the foetus is healthy.</p>

<h2><strong>Violates law&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The court denied permission to terminate the pregnancy since its duration had crossed the 24-week mark and added that letting the married woman to continue with her decision would violate Sections 3 and 5 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.</p>

<p>Abortion is allowed under the MTP Act if the pregnancy doesn’t cross 24 weeks mark for married women, for special categories including survivors of rape, and other vulnerable women, such as the differently-abled and minors.</p>

<p>"This court is averse to passing such a direction. The petitioner also doesn't wish to do the same," the court said, reported LiveLaw outlet.</p>

<p>The top court also brushed aside an intervention during the proceeding that sought to challenge the upper limit for medical termination.</p>

<p>The court stated that the challenge to the existing law would be addressed through separate proceedings, while the ongoing petition shall remain a matter exclusively between the petitioner and the state.</p>

<h2><strong>‘24-week guideline obsolete’</strong></h2>

<p>Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, who was arguing on behalf of the petitioner, cited a report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which had already termed the 24-week guideline ‘obsolete’.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/higher-reaches-in-kashmir-and-ladakh-receive-fresh-snowfall-valley-witnesses-drop-in-temperature-647395">Higher reaches of Kashmir and Ladakh receive fresh snowfall; valley witnesses drop in temperature</a></p>

<p>Justice Chandrachud-led bench took up the matter after a two-judge bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice BV Nagarathna earlier gave a split verdict.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-wanted-india-to-share-space-technology-seeing-chandrayaan-3s-success-isro-647462">Impressed by Chandrayaan-3, American space experts wanted India to sell its tech to US: ISRO chief</a></p>

<p>It had questioned why the woman did not seek permission for abortion earlier.</p>

<p>"What was she doing for 26 weeks? She already has two children? Why come now? Do we issue an order for the child's death through a judicial ruling?," Chief Justice Chandrachud had said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


The Indian Supreme Court has turned down the plea of a 26-week pregnant woman for abortion on the grounds that she is suffering from a mental condition called post-partum psychosis.

The Indian Supreme Court has turned down the plea of a 26-week pregnant woman for abortion on the grounds that she is suffering from a mental condition called post-partum psychosis. The apex court also admitted the central government’s submission that it is willing to undertake the expenses of delivery and if parents desire, facilitate the child's adoption. In the petition, the woman, who already has two children, said that she was suffering from post-partum psychosis and was not in a position to raise a third child, emotionally, financially, and physically. The bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud reached the decision based on a report by the AIIMS medical board that the pregnancy is not an immediate danger to the life of the woman and that the foetus is healthy. Violates law The court denied permission to terminate the pregnancy since its duration had crossed the 24-week mark and added that letting the married woman to continue with her decision would violate Sections 3 and 5 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. Abortion is allowed under the MTP Act if the pregnancy doesn’t cross 24 weeks mark for married women, for special categories including survivors of rape, and other vulnerable women, such as the differently-abled and minors. "This court is averse to passing such a direction. The petitioner also doesn't wish to do the same," the court said, reported LiveLaw outlet. The top court also brushed aside an intervention during the proceeding that sought to challenge the upper limit for medical termination. The court stated that the challenge to the existing law would be addressed through separate proceedings, while the ongoing petition shall remain a matter exclusively between the petitioner and the state. ‘24-week guideline obsolete’ Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, who was arguing on behalf of the petitioner, cited a report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which had already termed the 24-week guideline ‘obsolete’. Also read | Higher reaches of Kashmir and Ladakh receive fresh snowfall; valley witnesses drop in temperature Justice Chandrachud-led bench took up the matter after a two-judge bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice BV Nagarathna earlier gave a split verdict. Also read | Impressed by Chandrayaan-3, American space experts wanted India to sell its tech to US: ISRO chief It had questioned why the woman did not seek permission for abortion earlier. "What was she doing for 26 weeks? She already has two children? Why come now? Do we issue an order for the child's death through a judicial ruling?," Chief Justice Chandrachud had said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India: Supreme Court turns down woman’s plea to terminate 26-week pregnancy

<p>Women working in the organised sector will now be entitled to paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, up from 12 weeks, as Parliament today passed a Bill in this regard that will benefit about 1.8 million women.</p>

<p>The new law will apply to all establishments employing 10 or more people and the entitlement will be for only up to first two children. For third child, the entitlement will be for only 12 weeks.</p>

<p>The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was passed by the Lok Sabha today, months after the Rajya Sabha approved the measure that takes India to the third position in terms of the number of weeks for maternity leave after Canada and Norway where it is 50 and 44 weeks, respectively.</p>

<p>Piloting <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/will-the-amended-maternity-benefit-bill-cure-all-that-ails-working-mothers-7020">amendments</a> to the old law, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said while framing the rules, he would try to ensure that maximum benefits reach the pregnant women.</p>

<p>&ldquo;This is my humble gift to women, a day after the world celebrated the International Women&rsquo;s Day,&rdquo; he said after about 4-hour debate during which some members demanded paternity benefits too, arguing that these days most of the children are born in nuclear families where both the father and the mother have to take care of the child.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Passage of the Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha is a landmark moment in our efforts towards women-led development.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/840089481524928513">March 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill ensures better health &amp; wellbeing of the mother &amp; child. Increase in maternity leave is a welcome provision</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/840089577528287232">March 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Employment of women is protected thanks to Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill. Mandatory provision of cr&egrave;che in offices is laudable.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/840089915509493761">March 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, protects the employment of women during the time of her maternity and entitles her full paid absence from work, to take care for her child. Among other things, the Bill provides for 12 weeks of maternity leave to a woman who legally adopts a child below three months of age and a commissioning mother (defined as a biological mother) who uses her egg to have a surrogate child.</p>

<p>In such cases, 12-week period of maternity leave will be calculated from the date the child is handed over to the adoptive or commissioning mother.</p>

<p>The Bill also requires every establishment with 50 or more employees to provide creche facilities within a prescribed distance. The woman will be allowed four visits to the creche in a day. This will include her interval for rest.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


The Bill also requires every establishment with 50 or more employees to provide creche facilities within a prescribed distance

Women working in the organised sector will now be entitled to paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, up from 12 weeks, as Parliament today passed a Bill in this regard that will benefit about 1.8 million women. The new law will apply to all establishments employing 10 or more people and the entitlement will be for only up to first two children. For third child, the entitlement will be for only 12 weeks. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was passed by the Lok Sabha today, months after the Rajya Sabha approved the measure that takes India to the third position in terms of the number of weeks for maternity leave after Canada and Norway where it is 50 and 44 weeks, respectively. Piloting amendments to the old law, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said while framing the rules, he would try to ensure that maximum benefits reach the pregnant women. “This is my humble gift to women, a day after the world celebrated the International Women’s Day,” he said after about 4-hour debate during which some members demanded paternity benefits too, arguing that these days most of the children are born in nuclear families where both the father and the mother have to take care of the child. Passage of the Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha is a landmark moment in our efforts towards women-led development. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 10, 2017 × Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill ensures better health & wellbeing of the mother & child. Increase in maternity leave is a welcome provision — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 10, 2017 × Employment of women is protected thanks to Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill. Mandatory provision of crèche in offices is laudable. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 10, 2017 × The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, protects the employment of women during the time of her maternity and entitles her full paid absence from work, to take care for her child. Among other things, the Bill provides for 12 weeks of maternity leave to a woman who legally adopts a child below three months of age and a commissioning mother (defined as a biological mother) who uses her egg to have a surrogate child. In such cases, 12-week period of maternity leave will be calculated from the date the child is handed over to the adoptive or commissioning mother. The Bill also requires every establishment with 50 or more employees to provide creche facilities within a prescribed distance. The woman will be allowed four visits to the creche in a day. This will include her interval for rest. (PTI)

Indian Parliament passes maternity bill, raises paid leaves to 26 weeks

india-pregnant-women

India Pregnant Women, News on India Pregnant Women, stories on India Pregnant Women, articles on India Pregnant Women, India Pregnant Women stories at Wion, India Pregnant Women news, India Pregnant Women latest news

india pregnant-women

India: Supreme Court turns down woman’s plea to terminate 26-week pregnancy

Indian Parliament passes maternity bill, raises paid leaves to 26 weeks