Delhi HC permits widow suffering from mental trauma to terminate pregnancy

New Delhi [India], January 5 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday permitted a widow to medically terminate her 27-week pregnancy after considering the change in circumstances and her mental state.
She is stated to be suffering mental trauma due to the death of her husband.
Justice Subramonium Prasad allowed the petition after considering the submissions and psychiatric evaluation report of the petitioner.
Justice Prasad said, "There is a change in the martial status of the petitioner. The petitioner has become a widow".
"The psychiatric evaluation report of the AIIMS indicates that the petitioner is suffering from extreme trauma due to the death of her husband," Justice Prasad noted.
He said that the condition of the petitioner can result in the petitioner losing her mental balance and she can harm herself in the process.
Justice Prasad said, "This Court is of the opinion that, at this juncture, the petitioner should be permitted to terminate her pregnancy because allowing the petitioner to continue with the pregnancy can impair the mental stability of the petitioner as she is showing suicidal tendencies."
"Accordingly, the petitioner is permitted to undergo the procedure for termination of her pregnancy at AIIMS. AIIMS is requested to conduct the procedure even though the petitioner has crossed her gestation period of 24 weeks," the bench said in the judgement.
While passing the judgement, the bench referred to the law laid down by the Apex Court in X vs. Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Another, wherein it held that it is the prerogative of each woman to evaluate her life and arrive at the best course of action in view of the change in material circumstances and also in view of the fact that the right to reproductive choice also includes the right not to procreate.
However, the High Court made it clear that this order has been passed in light of the peculiar facts and circumstances of the present case and the same should not be treated as a precedent.
The High Court on Wednesday reserved the order on the plea after hearing the submissions of the petitioner's counsel and further psychiatric evaluation of the petitioner reserved the order for Thursday.
Her counsel, Dr.Amit Mishra, submitted before the court that she was admitted in the hospital but she left as the doctors were persuading her to continue with the pregnancy.
Forcing her to continue the pregnancy is an attack on her privacy, her counsel submitted.
The bench had observed that the apex court judgement allowed termination even at this stage. The petitioner's mental status has now changed the circumstances.
Earlier on Saturday, the vacation bench of Delhi High Court had called from the Department of Psychiatry of the AIIMS Hospital as to whether, in her state of severe depression with suicidal ideation, it would be detrimental to her health if this pregnancy is permitted to be continued for its full term.
After considering the psychiatric evaluation report from AIIMS, vacation judge Neena Krishna Bansal ordered a further psychiatric evaluation report.
The Department of Psychiatry of the AIIMS Hospital filed a report stating that the petitioner was evaluated on December 28, 2023.
She was found to be suffering from severe depression with suicidal ideation, the report stated.
In view of the risk to self and others (foetus), the patient and family were advised admission, to which they agreed. The patient is admitted in psychiatry ward in AIIMS Hospital, the bench noted.
Earlier, the High Court had directed AIIMS to conduct a psychiatric evaluation of a 23-year-old widow who has sought a permission for medical termination of pregnancy.
The medical board had not recommended a medical termination of pregnancy.
Before issuing directions, the bench heard the submission of Advocate Dr Amit Mishra, counsel for petitioner.
He had submitted before the court that she is facing mental trauma due to the pregnancy.
There are judgements that allow the termination of pregnancy at an advanced stage.
He had also submitted that the petitioner is facing mental and physical trauma. Even so, she is not able to take a meal.
A 23-year-old woman has approached the court. It is stated that her husband had died on October 9, 2023.
On December 22, 2023, the bench had asked the AIIMS to constitute a medical board and to examine the petitioner.
The bench had been directed to give a report as to whether the petitioner is in a condition to undergo the procedure for termination of pregnancy.