Goa, Jan. 9 -- The Delhi High Court has held that compelling a woman to continue with an unwanted pregnancy infringes upon her bodily integrity and worsens her mental trauma, while discharging an estranged wife from a criminal case filed by her husband over the medical termination of her 14-week pregnancy.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna observed that a woman's decision to seek an abortion, particularly in cases of marital discord, falls squarely within her personal autonomy. The court ruled that the petitioner-wife could not be held liable under Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with causing miscarriage.

Emphasising women's reproductive rights, the judge stated that freedom of choice is an essential aspect of personal libe...