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- The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to respond to a public interest litigation(PIL) for extending the time period to terminate pregnancy to 24 to 26 weeks in case of health risks to the mother or foetus.
- The petitioner has sought amendment to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,1971 which bars abortion post 20 weeks even if the foetus is found to have genetic abnormalities
- The petitioner has contended that unmarried females and widows should also be allowed to undergo a legal abortion.
- The petitioner said that many European countries including France, U.K. and Italy and even neighbouring country Nepal allows abortion after 20 weeks if foetal abnormalities are discovered.
- The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,1971 allows women to abort foetuses up to 20-weeks-old.Permission of a High Court is required beyond 20 weeks and courts can make exceptions if abnormalities are detected and if there is substantial risk to the mother’s life and health.
- A pending bill in Parliament proposes to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act to extend the legally permissible period to end a pregnancy to 24 weeks.



