SC rejects AIIMS review plea against its order to terminate 7-month pregnancy, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court rejected a review petition filed by AIIMS against its order to medically terminate a 15-year-old girl's seven-month pregnancy.
• The court's initial order on April 24, 2026, underscored a woman's reproductive autonomy as a facet of personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• AIIMS sought a review, stating that termination at this stage would result in a preterm delivery of a viable fetus with potential long-term disabilities.
• The court emphasized that the pregnant woman's choice is paramount and a woman cannot be compelled to have a child against her wishes.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court strongly criticized AIIMS for attempting to undermine the constitutional rights of the minor by filing the review petition.
• The initial request for Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) was rejected by the Delhi High Court on April 21, leading the mother to approach the Supreme Court.
• AIIMS's medical board warned that a prematurely delivered neonate would require a prolonged stay in the NICU and faces a high risk of permanent disabilities.
• The court's decision aligns with the principles of reproductive justice, ensuring bodily autonomy and the right to make informed decisions about one's health and future.
• The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act sets statutory limits for abortions, but the Supreme Court has the authority to make exceptions based on individual circumstances and constitutional rights.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Article 21: Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, interpreted to include reproductive rights.
• Reproductive Autonomy: The right of individuals to make free and informed decisions about their reproductive health.
• Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP): A medical procedure to end a pregnancy.