The apex court is already hearing plea of Mumbai-based doctor Nikhil D. Datar, who had also raised the same issue in 2009 and sought an amendment to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. Khehar issued notice for Friday and asked the petitioner to serve it today itself through the Attorney General’s office. The Supreme Court on Thursday sought response from the Centre and the Maharashtra government on a plea of an alleged rape victim challenging provisions of the abortion law which prohibits termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks even if there is a fatal risk to the mother and the foetus. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves appearing for the woman said that constitutionality of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 is being challenged in the plea as it puts a ceiling of 20 weeks for an abortion. The petition contended that the ceiling is unreasonable, arbitrary, harsh, discriminatory and violative of the right to life and equality.

Source: The Hindu July 21, 2016 06:56 UTC