The Calcutta High Court has recently allowed a petitioner to abort her 34 weeks and 6-day-old fetus, a first-of-its-kind decision. This is the longest gestation period to receive legal permission for termination. The permission was granted due to the detection of spina bifida. The Case The 34 weeks and 6-day-old fetus of the petitioner was detected with spina bifida, a debilitating and at times, fatal neural tube defect.
The completion of pregnancy or the premature delivery could have been hazardous to the health of both the child and the petitioner. Petitioner’s Plea The petitioner and her husband wanted to seek the Calcutta High Court’s permission for the medical termination of the 34 weeks and six days old fetus. The plea was filed based on several medical complications found by three medical practitioners, which can affect the child's and the mother's health. The High Court’s…
