legal abortion: All women are entitled to safe & legal abortion, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that all women are entitled to safe and legal abortion. The apex court has also ruled that the exclusion of unmarried women who conceive out of a live-in relationship from the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules is unconstitutional.

The SC has declared that unmarried women are also entitled to seek abortion of pregnancy in the term of 20-24 weeks arising out of a consensual relationship.

SC said that the meaning of rape must be held, including marital rape, for purpose of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. Further, the SC said that the distinction between married & unmarried women is artificial and constitutionally unsustainable as it perpetuates the stereotype that only married women indulge in sexual activities

The Bench hearing the case was informed that September 29 is Safe Abortion Day.

“Oh, today it is safe abortion day? Thank you for telling this to us. I did not know the judgment will coincide with this date. Thank you for telling us,” Justice Chandrachud reportedly said.

(With agency inputs. The news is developing, please check back for more updates)