SC asks AIIMS panel to discuss abortion of 29 weeks pregnant woman

CJI Chandrachud asked to constitute a medical team on January 20 to consider whether the termination of the 29 weeks pregnancy can be conducted without any threat to the life of the petitioner.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi to constitute a team of doctors by January 20 to examine whether the termination of 29 weeks pregnancy of an unmarried 20-year-old woman can be conducted safely. It further asked the AIIMS authorities to submit a report after the medical examination of the woman.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala also asked the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) to assist the court in the case involving a 20-year-old BTech student.

The lawyer appearing for the girl told the bench that she is currently living in a hostel in Ghaziabad, and wants to terminate the unwanted pregnancy which is approximately 29 weeks.

"At this stage, we consider it appropriate to order that the petitioner is to be evaluated by an AIIMS medical board. We direct the director to constitute a medical team on January 20 to consider whether the termination of the pregnancy can be conducted without any threat to the life of the petitioner," the CJI said in the order.

The apex court directed the top court Registrar to convey the order to the AIIMS director. The top court said it will pass the order on January 23 after examining the report of the AIIMS.