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Centre wants special panel to deal with emergency abortion cases

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The move, if approved by the Supreme Court, could help expedite appeals by scores of women who wish to abort a foetus due to medical complications or rape survivors who have been impregnated by their tormentor

In a bold move, the Centre has asked the Supreme Court to lay down directions for the formation of a body or board which will expeditiously deal with cases wherein a woman has sought legal sanction for aborting a foetus after expiry of the 20-week limit for the medical procedure that is prescribed under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1972.

If the Supreme Court accepts the Centre’s request, it would grant huge relief to scores of women across India who move various courts seeking an abortion due to medical complications suffered by themselves or their foetus or rape survivors who get become pregnant after the crime.

Given the tardy pace of court proceedings and long-winding legal procedures that need to be settled before a court can rule in such cases, often crucial time is lost for the woman. In the event of an adverse order by the court, the woman is either forced to deliver a baby that she doesn’t want, or risk her life during delivery because the court failed to rule in her favour or lost time in doing so, or worse still – resort to an illegal abortion and claim that she had a miscarriage.

A number of cases have come to the Supreme Court and to other courts across the country in the recent past in which women whose pregnancies have run over 20 weeks have asked for permission to abort.

Some of these cases have been rather delicate, as was shown in a recent abortion attempt by parents of a 10-year-old rape victim. She arrived at the top court’s door when she was already 26 weeks pregnant. Formalities (such as forming a medical board) took up time, and when she was finally denied permission to abort (because it was too dangerous for her health), the child had to undergo a C-section surgery as she was 32 weeks into her pregnancy.Centre wants special panel to deal with emergency abortion cases

Recently, a Mumbai-based woman in her mid-30s who had conceived her first child discovered that her baby could be born with Down’s Syndrome. However, by the time the woman and her husband realised that the foetus had signs of the debilitating syndrome, she was already 21-weeks pregnant – a week more than the legal limit for abortion. The woman is now left with two options – either to take the pregnancy to term, or move court seeking an abortion – a process that will not only be long drawn but also full of personal trauma for her and her husband.

The Centre’s submission for setting up a body to deal with such cases was made, on Thursday (August 31), before the Supreme Court bench of Justices SA Bobde and L Nageshwara Rao.

The counsel for the Centre cited an order of August 25, by the bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta in another case (Nipun Saxena vs Union of India Ministry Of Home Affairs) in which the court had issued notice to the Medical Council of India and medical boards of all the states and Union Territories regarding the early consideration of cases in which the termination of pregnancy is sine qua non in lieu of Section 5 of MTP Act, 1972.

The reference to this by the government counsel came up during hearing in a case in which a woman (mentioned as Mrs A) in her 20s has been pregnant for about 24 weeks and wants an abortion.

At the last hearing the court had ordered the formation of a medical board, comprising a well-known gynaecologist and obstetrician to examine her. This was to decide if medical termination of pregnancy would be life-threatening for the petitioner.

On Thursday, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that procurement and service of that detailed medical report, mentioning the current health status of woman and her child, has not taken place, because of the non-availability of the man/husband who has begotten her pregnant.

In most cases where permission to abort is sought from the courts and a medical board is formed to give its opinion, the testimony of the man or husband who has got the petitioner pregnant is a legal pre-requisite – unless it is establishment that the pregnancy was the result of rape.

If the Supreme Court indeed grants its approval for setting up a permanent body – equipped with medical as well as legal experts – that would examine pleas for abortion in an expeditious manner, legal complications like waiting for all testimonies to be recorded, getting relevant medical examinations conducted seeking dates for hearing the matter, etc may all be resolved, much to the relief of the woman who seeks a termination of her pregnancy.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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