It seems that the recent Nikita Mehta case has forced the government to review the outdated Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.

The Union health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has indicated that the government is seriously planning to bring certain modifications in the MTP Act. The present MTP Act permits a women to abort an unwanted pregnancy till a period of 20 weeks. The government is planning to increase this period to 24 weeks.

Recently Nikita Mehta unsuccessfully moved the Bombay High Court asking permission to abort her 25-week foetus diagnosed.with heart defects. However, Mehat later suffered miscarriage.

Countries like UK permits its women to abort an unwanted pregnancy up to 24-weeks.