Cardiac Abnormalities: Surrogate mother gets Bombay HC nod to abort 24-week pregnancy

Last week, the woman was examined by a medical team of the BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital in Pune which submitted a report noting that clinical examination revealed multiple cardiac abnormalities in the foetus.

The report further noted that if the baby is born then it would require multiple surgeries with high morbidity and mortality.

"The medical team has therefore opined that the pregnancy may be terminated," the court said in its order.

On Wednesday, when the petition was heard, justice Dangre said that the present case was "peculiar" in nature as the petitioner is a surrogate mother and that the baby was conceived by applying the Assisted Reproductive Technology.

The court then directed for the intended parents to appear before it to accord consent.

"As directed, the intended father appeared before the court on Friday and gave his consent to the abortion procedure. The court recorded the same and granted permission," said woman's advocate Meenaz Kakalia.