The Delhi High Court on Friday denied permission to an unmarried woman to undergo medical termination of pregnancy at 23 weeks, stating that it virtually amounted to killing of the foetus.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that they cannot allow the woman to kill the child as it virtually amounted to killing of the foetus.

The Counsel for the woman had sought permission for Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP), stating that the woman was unmarried and undergoing great mental agony. She was also not in a condition to raise the child. He further contended that the law on MTP in relation to unmarried women was discriminatory.  

However, the High Court directed the authorities to ensure that the woman was kept in a safe place till she delivers the child and allowed to leave the place after delivery. It further ordered that the child can be subsequently given for adoption.