Doctors Terminated Pregnancy Without Authorization, Court Demands Explanation

GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 3rd Feb. The Calcutta High Court expressed its dissatisfaction with a group of doctors who terminated the pregnancy of a survivor without proper authorization. The court had only requested the formation of a medical board to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure.

A report from the West Bengal government confirmed that the pregnancy had already been terminated.

Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya criticized the doctors’ actions, stating that the court had not given permission for the termination, but had merely asked for a report on its feasibility.

Justice Bhattacharyya ordered the doctors involved to explain why they had carried out the termination without the court’s direction and in such haste. The court demanded that the doctors submit their explanation by February 9, including any reasons for the urgency.

On January 29, Justice Bhattacharyya had instructed the West Bengal government to establish a medical board to evaluate the survivor’s condition and provide a report to the court by February 2. The survivor had requested the termination due to severe mental trauma, and the pregnancy was estimated to be between 20 to 24 weeks.

The state’s counsel did not oppose the request but raised concerns that the incident had occurred on July 28, 2023, suggesting that the pregnancy might be more advanced than claimed.

Recognizing the court’s lack of expertise in the medical field, Justice Bhattacharyya emphasized the need for a medical board to assess the pros and cons of the termination. The board should consist of two well-established medical practitioners, one specializing in gynecology and the other in pediatrics.

The court directed that the petitioner be examined at the MR Bangur Hospital, a state-run facility.