Gujarat government seeks permission to terminate pregnancy of woman

Gujarat government on Thursday filed a review petition in the sessions court here, seeking permission to terminate 14-week pregnancy of a mentally challenged woman. "We have today filed a review plea challenging an order of metropolitan magistrate who, on June 27, rejected our application," said public prosecutor Sudheer Brahmbhatt.

The court will have to decide the plea before the pregnancy crosses 20-week period because after that the law does not permit termination, said Brahmbhatt.

The woman, who is about 28 year-old, was found abandoned by the city police two months ago. She was sent to a government-run mental health centre in Meghaninagar and the medical check-up revealed that she was pregnant. The health centre authorities then approached the court for termination of the pregnancy, Brahmbhatt said.

The case is likely to come up tomorrow.