Delhi: The Supreme Court has made it clear that no woman, especially a minor, can be compelled to continue an unwanted pregnancy against her wishes. On Friday, the top court allowed the medical termination of a 30-week pregnancy of a girl who became pregnant while she was still a minor, stressing that her rights and well-being must come first.
The decision was delivered by a two-judge bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna. The court said that in cases involving minors, the most important factor is the choice and future of the girl, not social pressure or moral arguments. The judges firmly stated that forcing a young girl to carry a pregnancy she does not want would be a violation of her dignity and personal liberty.
During the hearing, the court noted that the pregnancy resulted from a relationship between the minor girl and a boy. However, the bench clarified that whether the relationship was consensual or not was not the deciding issue in this case. What mattered most was the fact that the girl clearly did not want to continue the pregnancy and would be forced into motherhood against her will if relief was denied.
The Supreme Court observed that a minor facing such circumstances is already dealing with physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. Making her go through childbirth would add to her suffering and permanently affect her life. The judges underlined that reproductive choice is an essential part of personal freedom and cannot be taken away, even by the courts.
The bench also stated that the judiciary does not have the authority to force any woman to become a mother. It emphasised that reproductive autonomy must be respected and protected, particularly when the person involved is a child under the law.
The court approved the termination of the pregnancy under strict medical supervision and directed that the procedure be carried out at JJ Hospital in Mumbai. All required medical protocols and safety measures are to be followed to ensure the health of the girl.
