SC drops contempt against AIIMS after 30-week pregnancy termination of minor results in live birth with disabilities
The Supreme Court dropped contempt proceedings against AIIMS Delhi after the hospital complied with an order to medically terminate a 30-week pregnancy of a 15-year-old girl. AIIMS reported that the procedure resulted in the live birth of a baby boy with certain disabilities, who has an 80% survival rate and is in NICU. Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, emphasizing the minor's fundamental right to reproductive autonomy under Article 21. The court also highlighted the societal trend of unwanted pregnancies among minors and the legal and medical crises it creates.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court dropped contempt proceedings against AIIMS Delhi after the termination of a minor's 30-week pregnancy.
- The procedure resulted in the live birth of a baby boy with disabilities, having an 80% survival rate.
- AIIMS had initially hesitated, seeking review and filing a curative petition, citing high risks for a live birth with congenital disabilities.
- The SC underscored the minor's fundamental right to reproductive autonomy under Article 21.
- The court also raised concerns about the increasing trend of unwanted pregnancies among minors and the resulting legal and medical challenges.
Exam Facts
- Pregnancy duration: 30 weeks
- Hospital involved: AIIMS Delhi
- Constitutional Article: Article 21 (Right to life and personal liberty, including reproductive autonomy)
- Survival rate of infant: 80%
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