No need to amend law on abortion: Anbumani

New Delhi, Aug 4 (UNI) Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss today said there was no need to amend existing laws to allow abortion beyond 20 weeks.

He was referring to a landmark judgement by the Bombay High Court today in which the court refused to grant permission for termination of pregnancy beyond 20 weeks after rejecting a petition filed by a couple, seeking an amendment to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act by allowing abortion of a 25-week foetus, diagnosed with an heart ailment.

The court passed the order in response to a petition filed by a Mumbai gynaecologist, Dr Nikhil Datar, and the teacher couple who identified themselves in court papers as only Mr X and Mrs Y.

The Union Health Minister said, at the conclusion of the fourth meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG) of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) here, that his ministry would discuss in Niketa Mehta's case.

He, however, said a broad discussion could take place on the issue and all aspects of such cases would be taken into consideration.

Mr Anbumani said this is only a single case, so there is no need to change the laws which were existing for past 20-30 years.

However, according to the current law, pregnancy cannot be terminated beyond 20 weeks.

Union Minister for Rural Development, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh was also present on the occasion.

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