Madhya Pradesh High Court: In a writ petition filed by wife under Article of the seeking medical termination of her pregnancy due to a matrimonial dispute with her husband, a single-judge bench of Subodh Abhyankar, J., allowed the writ petition was allowed and directed to proceed with the medical termination of the petitioner’s pregnancy.
In the instant matter, the petitioner (wife) filed an FIR, for the offence under Sections , , , , and of the , alleging cruelty by the husband and his family members.
On 27-11-2024, the Court directed the Chief Medical and Health Officer, District Dewas, to ascertain if the pregnancy could be terminated. On 04-12-2024, the medical board confirmed that the petitioner was fit for the termination of her pregnancy. The Court also referred the matter for mediation, however, the mediation failed, as reported on 07-12-2024.
The petitioner stated that she has serious differences with her husband, leading her to file the FIR against him. She does not wish to continue with the pregnancy as the marital dispute and the associated stress would negatively affect her future and the life of the child. The petitioner argued that continuing the pregnancy would cause irreparable harm to both her and the child.
However. Respondent 4, the husband, disagreed with the petitioner’s request and submitted that there was no dispute that could not be resolved. The husband wished for the pregnancy to continue and for the issues to be settled amicably.
The Court considered the petitioner’s reasons for seeking termination, which were rooted in her ongoing matrimonial dispute. The Court noted that the petitioner also expressed her desire to not continue with the pregnancy, citing the potential harm it would cause to her life and the future of the child. The Court also referred to X2 v. State (NCT of Delhi), and Palak Khanna v. State of M.P., , where the Court allowed medical termination in similar circumstances.
Taking into account the petitioner’s allegations of domestic violence and her firm stance against continuing with the pregnancy, the Court found it would not be appropriate to force her to continue under such circumstances.
The Court allowed the petitioner’s request for the medical termination of her pregnancy and directed the Chief Medical and Health Officer, District Dewas, to proceed with the termination at the earliest. The Court order the petitioner to appear before the Chief Medical and Health Officer on 11-12-2024 at 11:00 AM for the procedure.
[Ranjana Verma v. State of M.P., W.P. No. 36944/2024, Decided on 09-12-2024]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Shri Rishi Anand Choukse, Counsel for the Petitioners
Ms. Bhagyashree Gupta, Govt. Advocate, Counsel for the Respondent
Shri M.S. Solanki, Counsel for the Respondent No. 4
Ms. Archana Maheshwari, Counsel for the Mediator
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