Mumbai: Bombay High Court has directed the state govt to make appropriate changes in a form related to medical termination of pregnancies between 20 and 24 weeks to include single unmarried women.Chief Justice M C Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna on Monday said, “It would be fair, just and proper to direct the concerned respondents to make appropriate changes as the law would require in the forms, formats and procedures to be followed in such cases in consonance to the observations / directions issued by the Supreme Court.”The direction was passed while permitting a single unmarried woman (22) to terminate her over-22-week pregnancy. In 2022, SC had held that Rule 3 B of MTP Rules, that enumerates women eligible for MTP between 20 and 24 weeks, shall also include single unmarried women. The woman had also urged a direction for a change in Form E, which is filled by a medical practitioner giving an opinion that a case falls under one of the permitted categories.She sought HC’s permission as the MTP Act and Rules do not permit a single unmarried woman to terminate her pregnancy that has crossed 20 weeks. She is pursuing a professional degree. She has a history of polycystic ovary syndrome which involves irregular or absent periods. In May 2026, she had sexual relations with her partner. Till Oct, when she did not get her periods, a sonography revealed she was 21 weeks and 1 day pregnant. Her petition said continuing the unwanted pregnancy would have a serious adverse impact on her mental and emotional well-being. She would face stigma.The J J Hospital medical board said the foetus with 21.4 weeks’ gestation has no congenital anomalies. It found no medical grounds for termination at this gestation stage but left it to HC to decide. The judges noted that a psychiatric assessment found the woman fit. Similar views were expressed by other doctors. Her parents accepted her stand. The state’s advocate Madhura Deshmukh did not object to the petition in view of the SC decision.The woman’s advocate Meenaz Kakalia said the SC decision, which was followed by HC in another matter, recognised the petitioner’s right to reproductive freedom, her autonomy over her body and her right to choice. “In such backdrop” and considering the board’s opinion pertaining to the woman’s psychological condition and averments in the petition, “we find the same to be applicable in the given facts of the case.” They permitted MTP to be done at a private hospital. They clarified the order is passed in the “peculiar factual complexion” of the case and is not a precedent.
