SC to hear plea for termination of 24-week-old pregnancy

New Delhi, July 21  The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Attorney General and Maharashtra on a plea by a rape victim seeking termination of her 24-week-old pregnancy due to the abnormal growth of foetus.

A bench of Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Arun Mishra directed the hearing on Friday after going through the doctor's report which said that stomach of the foetus was uncovered and as a result the intestines were growing outside it.

The report also said the foetus's skull too was not fully developed.

The report said that chances of the survival of the foetus were from zero to a few hours.

The petitioner has sought the direction of the court for the termination of her pregnancy as under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 the pregnancy beyond 20 weeks could not be terminated.

However, under Section 5 of the MTP Act, pregnancy beyond 20 weeks could be terminated only if there is a threat to the life of the mother.

In the instant case there is no threat to the life of the mother but foetus is abnormal and the chances of its survival are remote.