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SC Allows termination of 28-week pregnancy for 15-year-old Delhi girl, upholds reproductive autonomy
The Supreme Court on April 24, 2026, allowed a 15-year-old Delhi girl to terminate a 28-week pregnancy, stressing reproductive autonomy and bodily dignity. It set aside a Delhi High Court order and directed AIIMS Delhi to perform the termination with safeguards, emphasizing that courts should not compel unwanted pregnancies of minors.
Why It Matters
The ruling reinforces constitutional protections of dignity, autonomy, and decisional privacy in reproductive matters and warns against rigid statutory thresholds; it could influence late-term abortion cases involving minors.
Timeline
3 Events
Supreme Court permits termination and sets aside HC order
April 24, 2026
A Supreme Court bench, ruling on Friday, allowed the minor to undergo medical termination of the 28-week foetus at AIIMS Delhi, directing that the procedure be carried out with medical safeguards. The court held that reproductive choice and bodily autonomy under Article 21 take precedence over rigid statutory timelines, set aside the Delhi High Court’s April 21 order, and required the minor’s guardian to submit an undertaking consenting to the termination.
Delhi High Court orders dismissing petition to abort
April 21, 2026
The Delhi High Court issued an order on April 21 dismissing a petition by the girl's mother seeking authorization to terminate the 28-week pregnancy.
Minor admitted to AIIMS Delhi for pregnancy management
April 10, 2026
The 15-year-old Delhi girl was admitted to AIIMS Delhi for management related to her pregnancy, a fact noted as the situation progressed toward potential termination.