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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
After scrutiny on 824 abortions, 1,182 more cases in Haryana under govt scanner
Gurgaon: After scrutinising 824 cases, Haryana govt has shortlisted another 1,182 abortions — details of which will be checked — as part of its crackdown to stop illegal practices and improve the state's sex-ratio at birth. Officials told TOI on Tuesday that the cases have been flagged on two parameters – abortions carried out after 12 weeks of pregnancy and/or involving couples who already have one or more daughters. These cases of abortions carried out this year will undergo 'reverse tracking' — a detailed investigation to detect possible violations of laws related to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act or illegal sex determination before birth. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon | Gold Rates Today in Gurgaon | Silver Rates Today in Gurgaon Additional chief secretary (health) Sudhir Rajpal, who chaired the weekly state task force (STF) meeting for improving Haryana's sex ratio, on Tuesday directed officials to pursue strict enforcement against doctors and clinics involved in unlawful terminations, including licence cancellations. "Reverse tracking — where abortion cases beyond 12 weeks are investigated, particularly when women already have daughters — will now be extended to 1,182 more cases flagged across districts," Rajpal said. Before this, reverse tracking of the 824 cases led to registration of 43 FIRs, most of them for allegedly violating the MTP Act. The health department has also issued notices to 38 private hospitals and clinics in the past three months for allegedly facilitating illegal abortions. Forty-two people, including clinic staffers and quacks, have been arrested in connection with these cases. Among those held is a quack in Sonipat who was allegedly supplying abortions kits without certification. Officials said the 12-week threshold serves as a screening mechanism for a closer look at abortion cases as second-trimester terminations coincide with the period when sex of a foetus can be determined. In India, abortions are permitted till 20 weeks of pregnancy under certain conditions and with the sign-off of at least two doctors. The govt's crackdown comes in the backdrop of Haryana's sex-ratio at birth (SRB) recording a decline to 910 last year, the lowest for the state since 2016. The efforts, officials said, were showing results. SRB improved to 905 from Jan 1 to Aug 18 this year, compared to 899 during the same period last year, govt's own assessment shows. Still, the state's SRB remains below the national average of 933 girls born to every 1,000 boys. At the STF meeting on Tuesday, the additional chief secretary also directed the health department to ensure reverse-tracking is carried out within 24 hours of an abortion being permitted. Rajpal told chief medical officers (CMOs) of all districts to coordinate with police and ensure that the FIRs registered against suspects lead to convictions. The STF has also ordered action against 'sahelis' (volunteer companions assigned to pregnant women for grassroots reach) in cases where a girl foetus was aborted illegally. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
NDTV
7 hours ago
- NDTV
Pregnant Minor Rape Survivor Agrees To Give Birth After Moving Delhi High Court
New Delhi: A minor rape survivor who moved the Delhi High Court with a plea to terminate her 30-week pregnancy has agreed to give birth to the child, who would be given for adoption. The 14-year-old girl, who was abandoned by her parents, moved the court through her aunt. She was raped and impregnated by a cousin and is currently residing at a shelter home in the capital. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma's August 18 order observed the survivor was abandoned by both parents and the mother of the rape accused, her aunt, was the only guardian with whom she wanted to reside. "With these peculiar background circumstances, this court by way of abundant caution, deems it appropriate to hold that the child will need care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and CWC is directed to independently interact with the child, obtain her opinion and inform this court regarding the same before passing of a final order," the court said. The survivor and her guardian agreed on giving birth after being counselled about the opinion of the medical board, which examined her and said the termination of her pregnancy was not possible, given the medical complications. The board opined that any pre-term C-section for delivery or medical termination of pregnancy would pose higher future obstetrical implications, and if undertaken, could adversely affect her future reproductive prospects. The board's report indicated that at the present gestation period, the child would be born alive, and the doctors have informed the girl and her guardian about the implications of terminating the pregnancy. The board informed the court that the minor and her guardian were willing to continue with the pregnancy for the next four to six weeks. The court noted the minor's pregnancy would continue given the statements, and it couldn't direct the termination against their will. "Considering the above, the prayer to direct the respondents 1 and 2 (Delhi government) to medically terminate the pregnancy of the victim given the Explanation 2, Section 3(2) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, will be infructuous," it said. The court then posted the matter for August 20, when the Child Welfare Committee would submit its report. The girl learnt about her pregnancy in early August when she saw a doctor. She was already 27 weeks pregnant by then. She subsequently moved the court after the doctors referred to statutory restrictions under the MTP Act, limiting such procedures to 20 weeks in ordinary cases and 24 weeks in certain categories such as rape survivors.
News18
16 hours ago
- Health
- News18
Pregnant minor rape survivor agrees to give birth after moving Delhi HC
Agency: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) A minor rape survivor who moved the Delhi High Court with a plea to terminate her 30-week pregnancy has agreed to give birth to the child, who would be given for adoption. The 14-year-old girl, who was abandoned by her parents, moved the court through her aunt. She was raped and impregnated by a cousin and is currently residing at a shelter home in the capital. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma's August 18 order observed the survivor was abandoned by both parents and the mother of the rape accused, her aunt, was the only guardian with whom she wanted to reside. 'With these peculiar background circumstances, this court by way of abundant caution, deems it appropriate to hold that the child will be in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and CWC is directed to independently interact with the child, obtain her opinion and inform this court regarding the same before passing of a final order," the court said. The survivor and her guardian agreed on giving birth after being counselled about the opinion of the medical board, which examined her and said the termination of her pregnancy was not possible given the medical complications. The board opined any pre-term C-section for delivery or medical termination of pregnancy would pose higher future obstetrical implications, and if undertaken, and could adversely affect her future reproductive prospects. The board's report indicated at the present gestation period, the child would be born alive and the doctors have informed the girl and her guardian about the implications of terminating the pregnancy. The board informed the court that the minor and her guardian were willing to continue with the pregnancy for the next four to six weeks. The court noted the minor's pregnancy would continue given the statements and it couldn't direct the termination against their will. 'Considering the above, the prayer to direct the respondents 1 and 2 (Delhi government) to medically terminate the pregnancy of the victim in view of the Explanation 2, Section 3(2) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, will be infructuous," it said. The court then posted the matter for August 20, when the Child Welfare Committee would submit its report. The girl learnt about her pregnancy in early August when she saw a doctor. She was already 27-week pregnant by then. She subsequently moved the court after the doctors referred to statutory restrictions under the MTP Act, limiting such procedures to 20 weeks in ordinary cases and 24 weeks in certain categories such as rape survivors. PTI SKV SKV AMK AMK view comments First Published: August 19, 2025, 16:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Telangana records over 900% rise in abortions in 5 years, highest among all states
1 2 Hyderabad: Telangana recorded an over 900% rise in abortions (medically terminated pregnancies) over the past five years, shows data tabled in the Rajya Sabha recently. This is the highest increase that any state has witnessed in India during this period — with abortion numbers increasing from 1,578 in 2020-21 to 16,059 in 2024-25. During the intervening years, the count rose from 4,071 in 2022-23 to a staggering 12,365 in 2023-24. The records were presented by Union minister of state for health and family welfare, Anupriya Patel. Doctors from Telangana attributed this sharp rise to a host of reasons ranging from medical conditions, unplanned pregnancies, higher living costs to more women wanting to delay motherhood. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad "Majority of abortions during this period were performed before completion of 12 weeks of pregnancy, due to medical complications. There were spontaneous abortions because of genetics, chromosomal and congenital abnormalities — detected in the developing fetus. These natural pregnancy losses represented a significant portion of the overall figures," said Dr VK Sumithra, programme joint director, state's maternal health and nutrition department. She said, in some cases, failure to comply with use of contraceptives — including missing trimesterly injections — led to MTPs. "Economic reasons too are reshaping family planning choices, particularly in urban areas, with couples choosing to delay or limit childbirth," she added. Dr Hem Lata, senior gynaecologist and additional deputy district medical and health officer (DMHO), Hyderabad, reiterated the changing family planning patterns in Telangana. "Till a few years ago, people would undergo family planning operations after having two children, but now they are getting it done after one child only due to high living costs and other expenses," she said, adding, "This shows how economic pressures are driving reproductive decisions. " Improved data collection and increased awareness are also factors that have added to this surge, say doctors. Earlier, many MTP cases went unreported due to lack of streamlined systems. "Now, with the integration of the Health Management Information System (HMIS) reporting mechanisms have significantly improved. This, along with greater awareness around the provisions of the MTP Act, 2017, has led to more accurate and consistent documentation of medical terminations across the state," said Dr Sumithra. "To add to that is the age of abortion being increased from 20 weeks to 24 weeks, and in special circumstances abortion above 24 weeks," she added. Some also pegged it to changing demographic patterns, particularly post Covid-19. "More women are part of the workforce and prioritise career growth, stability, and family planning," said Dr Rupa Banu, a gynaecologist from a private hospital. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Indian Express
07-08-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Abortions based on ‘presumed' mental health injury: HC seeks Centre opinion on plea challenging law
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought the Union government's reply to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a 57-year-old Hisar resident challenging the legal provision that allows abortions based on presumed mental health injury without requiring evaluation by a psychiatrist. Deepak Kumar, the petitioner, has sought a declaration that a key clause under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 — particularly Section 3(2) and Explanation 1 — is unconstitutional. He has contended that the provision violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution by allowing gynaecologists to terminate pregnancies on mental health grounds, even though they are not qualified to assess psychological conditions. He has also asked the court to rule that abortions should only be allowed when the life of the woman or the foetus is in immediate danger, not in cases of failed contraception or presumed mental anguish. The PIL, filed through advocates Dr Pankaj Nanhera, Sanchar Anand, Nitin Verma, and Yogesh Vashista, came up for hearing on Wednesday before the division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry. The bench issued notice to the Union government and fixed the next hearing for September 16. Section 3(2) of the MTP Act allows a registered medical practitioner to terminate a pregnancy if it risks the woman's life or may cause 'grave injury' to her physical or mental health. For pregnancies up to 20 weeks, the opinion of one doctor is sufficient; between 20 and 24 weeks, two doctors must concur for certain categories of women. Explanation 1 to this section presumes that if a pregnancy results from the failure of contraceptive methods, the resulting mental anguish is automatically considered a grave mental health injury, making abortion legally permissible. The PIL argues that: The petitioner contends that these provisions enable abortions in situations that fall outside the core intent of the MTP Act, and that such broad presumptions may undermine fetal rights and open doors to female foeticide. Among other reliefs, Deepak Kumar has requested the court to: The court has admitted the petition and listed it for further hearing on September 16.
