It is the woman’s freedom to give birth to a baby or not; says HC

KOCHI: The High Court has made it clear that the decision to give birth to child or not is the personal freedom of a woman and none can question it. Justice VG Arun gave this verdict while allowing a pregnant MBA student who got pregnant from a fellow student. She sought permission to abort her 26-week foetus.

The court’s decision comes after a medical board’s evaluation which said that the girl is undergoing sever mental trauma and if the pregnancy is made to proceed then her life might be in danger.

As the foetus is over 24 weeks old hospitals would not allow abortion under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. That is why the girl approached the High Court. She came to realize that she was pregnant only after a medical check up when she felt physical uneasiness.

The fellow student had gone to a foreign country for higher studies. The girl in her plea says that her bodily and mental issues will affect her higher studies and her job opportunities.

By the court’s order, the Medical College Superintend at Kalamassery formed a medical board to examine the girl and submit a report to the court.

The court granted permission to conduct abortion at the Kalamassery Medical College or at any other hospital. For this the Superintend must arrange a medical team. The court’s verdict also says that if the baby that is taken out is alive, all facilities must be provided by the hospital for its healthy growth