New Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI) The Supreme Court today declinedto amend an Act which prohibits termination of pregnancybeyond 20 weeks saying that the issue fell within thelegislative realm.
The apex court, however, sought response from thegovernment on framing of guidelines for for setting up apermanent mechanism for expedient termination of pregnanciesbeyond 20 weeks in the exceptional cases.
The top court was hearing a plea filed by Karnataka-basedAnusha Ravindra seeking amendment of the 1971 MedicalTermination of Pregnancy Act for abortion of foetus older than20 weeks involving rape survivors and women with abnormalfoetus.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justicesA M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud issued notices to theMinistries of Health, Women and Child Development and MedicalCouncil Of India.
"On a perusal of the reliefs sought, we find that asfar as the prayer (c) is concerned, that is in legislativerealm, hence we are not inclined to address the said prayer.
"As far as the prayers (a) and (b) are concerned, weare of the prima facie view that they have become necessaryto be addressed. Issue notice, fixing a returnable date withinfour weeks," the bench said.
The plea, filed through advocate Abhinav Ramkrishna, alsosought constitution of a committee for setting up a permanentmechanism for expedient termination of pregnancies beyond 20weeks in the exceptional cases involving rape survivors andwomen and abnormal foetus under safe medical facilities withadequate inputs from an association of professionals andexperts. PTI PKS ABA MNL RKSZMN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.