In Brief
A 26-year-old pregnant woman sought permission to terminate her pregnancy after discovering her fetus had anencephaly, a fatal congenital defect incompatible with life where skull bones fail to form. At 25 weeks gestation, the Supreme Court appointed a Medical Board from Sir J.J. Hospital, Mumbai to examine her. The Board confirmed the fetus could not survive outside the uterus and that continuing the pregnancy would cause severe mental injury to the mother with no additional medical risk. The petitioner's husband supported her decision. The Court, finding no legal or medical opposition from the respondents, allowed the petition, permitting medical termination under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, with the Medical Board supervising the procedure."
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