Delhi High Court Upholds Women's Reproductive Rights in Landmark Ruling
The Delhi High Court ruled that a woman's reproductive autonomy prevails over societal norms, allowing a 30-year-old to terminate her pregnancy beyond the legal limit. The decision emphasizes bodily integrity and highlights the trauma of forced continuation, referencing landmark cases and ensuring justice in complex socio-legal scenarios.
- Country:
- India
In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has underscored the primacy of women's reproductive autonomy, permitting the medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) for a 30-year-old unmarried woman beyond the statutory 22-week limit. This decision reinforces a woman's right to bodily integrity and decisional freedom as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja's ruling emerged from a case involving severe physical and mental trauma inflicted on the petitioner, who was misled into sexual relations under the false promise of marriage. The court emphasized that forcing the woman to continue with the pregnancy would only aggravate her suffering and expose her to social stigma, stressing that her decision must prevail over other considerations.
The bench drew support from Supreme Court precedents affirming reproductive choice as a fundamental right. The court acted on medical recommendations from AIIMS, where the petitioner had been prepared for MTP, and issued directives for DNA testing of fetal tissue related to an ongoing criminal investigation. This case highlights the judicial commitment to uphold reproductive rights amid complex socio-legal challenges.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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