Debate at Delhi High Court Examines Proposal of Fathers’ Veto in Abortion Decisions
New Delhi, February 2026:
A parliamentary-style legal debate was convened at the Delhi High Court to deliberate on the motion: “This House Would Grant Fathers a Veto over Abortion Rights.” The discussion was organized by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum and attended by members of the Bar, judicial officers, and legal scholars.
The debate centered on whether fathers should be legally empowered to prevent the termination of a pregnancy. Proponents of the motion argued that since conception involves two individuals, fathers should have participatory rights in decisions affecting the unborn child. They submitted that questions of parental responsibility and equality warrant consideration within reproductive law frameworks.
Opponents strongly contested the proposal, emphasizing that pregnancy directly impacts the woman’s bodily integrity, health, and constitutional rights. They argued that under existing legal principles, reproductive choice forms part of a woman’s right to privacy, dignity, and personal liberty. Granting a veto power to fathers, they contended, would dilute established jurisprudence protecting bodily autonomy.
Speakers also referred to the statutory framework governing medical termination of pregnancy in India, noting that current law prioritizes the consent of the pregnant woman. The discussion clarified that the debate was academic in nature and did not signal any proposed amendment to existing legislation.
The event was viewed as an important platform for structured legal discourse on evolving questions of reproductive rights and parental interests within constitutional law.
Discription: A parliamentary-style debate was held at the Delhi High Court in February 2026 to examine whether fathers should have a legal veto over abortion decisions. Organized by the Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum, the discussion brought together members of the Bar, judicial officers, and legal scholars. Supporters of the motion argued that since conception involves both parents, fathers should have participatory rights in decisions regarding termination of pregnancy. Opponents, however, emphasized that pregnancy directly affects a woman’s body, health, and constitutional rights, including privacy, dignity, and personal liberty. They maintained that granting fathers a veto would undermine established principles of bodily autonomy. Speakers also highlighted that under India’s existing legal framework, the consent of the pregnant woman is central to decisions on medical termination of pregnancy. The debate remained academic in nature and did not propose any change to current law.
