https://theleaflet.in/women-and-children/supreme-courts-patch-work-approach-in-abortion-cases-leaves-the-underlying-legal-problems-on-reproductive-autonomy-in-india-unaddressed https://cf-images.assettype.com/theleaflet/2026-05-13/rra5bjp8/Abortion.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/theleaflet/2026-05-13/3065otkn/image-21.png Out of 1,114 total cases, courts permitted abortion in 949 cases, denied it in 124, and disposed of 21 matters through other means (such as dismissal or disposal). 11 cases became infructuous, and 9 were withdrawn. When mapped against Medical Board (MB) recommendations: in 788 cases, courts permitted abortion in line with MB advice. In 39 cases abortions were allowed despite the MB advising against it, and 11 were denied despite MB recommending it. In 84 cases, courts ruled despite MB opinion being unclear or absent, while in 46 cases, courts left the final decision to MB’s discretion. Information was not available in 4 cases theleaflet en 2026-05-13T12:27:49.124Z Supreme Court’s patch-work approach in abortion cases leaves the underlying legal problems on reproductive autonomy in India unaddressed Women and Children, Supreme Court, Opinion https://theleaflet.in/newsletter/is-using-the-word-bhagwa-government-criticism-a-weekly-round-up-on-constitution-first-a-special-book-launch-announcement https://cf-images.assettype.com/theleaflet/2026-05-12/ajrjhvm9/Law.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/theleaflet/2026-05-12/v48gza6t/unnamed-6.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/theleaflet/2026-05-12/jpwt40nm/IJ.jpg theleaflet en 2026-05-12T15:10:18.902Z Is using the word ‘Bhagwa’ government criticism? : A weekly round-up on Constitution First + A Special Book Launch announcement Newsletter