New Delhi, July 3: In a landmark order, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed a Kolkata-based woman to abort her 25-week pregnancy on grounds of abnormalities. In a significant observation, the Supreme Court said in its order that a woman has sacrosanct right to he bodily integrity. The present rule allows abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The woman and her husband had challenged the constitutional validity of section 3(2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, which prohibits abortion of a foetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Also Read - Sudarshan TV Row: 'Free Speech, Not Hatred,' Supreme Court Says Media Self-regulation System Toothless

Earlier last week, the court had asked the woman to examine the medical report on her health and apprise it of her stand. A panel of seven doctors was also set up to examine and ascertain the medical condition of the Kolkata-based woman. Taking into account the report of the seven-member medical board set up by the West Bengal government on its direction, a vacation bench of Justices AM Sapre and SK Kaul said it has perused the report. Also Read - 2021 Haridwar Kumbh: In a First, Number of Pilgrims to Be Restricted; Entry Passes to Be Issued

The couple had in their plea seeking abortion attached a report suggesting that the foetus had suffered from serious abnormalities, including cardiac issues. The report had said that if the birth was allowed, the baby may not survive even the first surgery and moreover, the foetus could be fatal to the mother too. Also Read - Regulate Digital Media First: Centre Tells SC in Affidavit Filed in Response to Pleas Against Sudarshan TV