Delhi High Court: Forcing Unwanted Pregnancy Violates Woman's Bodily Integrity

• The Delhi High Court ruled that compelling a woman to carry an unwanted pregnancy infringes her bodily autonomy and dignity.
• The Court quashed criminal proceedings against a woman who terminated her 14-week pregnancy, initiated by her estranged husband.
• Justice Neena Bansal Krishna stated that forcing pregnancy causes mental trauma and violates bodily integrity, especially in marital discord.
• The High Court emphasized that criminalizing lawful abortion under medical supervision contradicts Article 21 of the Constitution.
• It rejected prioritizing foetal rights over a living woman's rights, noting international human rights law recognizes rights at birth, not conception.

Why It Matters: Delhi High Court upholds woman's bodily autonomy, quashing criminal charges for lawful abortion.