The Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 15) declined to consider a plea from a 20-year-old unmarried woman seeking to terminate her pregnancy of over 27 weeks, arguing that the foetus also has a fundamental right to life.

India’s top court refuses to allow abortion for pregnancy beyond 27 weeks, says foetus has right to live

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.

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

India is one of the first countries to legalize abortions. Abortions became legal in India under certain conditions only in 1971. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (“MTP Act”) was passed due to the progress made in the field of medical science with respect to safer abortions.

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