Court allows 23-year-old widow to terminate 27-week pregnancy; decision taken after considering woman's mental condition

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday allowed a 23-year-old woman to terminate her 27-week pregnancy. Justice Subramonium Prasad issued the order after considering the mental condition of the woman.

The woman's husband had died on October 9 last year. Following this, the woman was mentally disturbed. The mental health experts at AIIMS had given a psychiatric evaluation report stating that the woman was going through mental stress and had suicidal tendencies and that continuing with the pregnancy would have serious consequences.

The court also directed the doctors at AIIMS to start the process of performing the abortion. The woman is currently undergoing psychiatric treatment at AIIMS.