Archive · 19 Nov 2025
Jharkhand Prison Manual Acknowledges Abortion Rights of Incarcerated Women
In India, some women prisoners had to go to court to get permission for abortions.
Now, Jharkhand's prison rules let them have abortions if it's allowed by the law, without needing court permission.
This is a first in the country and sets an example for other states.
Jharkhand Prison Manual is the first to explicitly address abortion rights of women prisoners
It eliminates the need for court permission for abortions within the MTPA framework
This move sets a precedent for other states to follow
Previously, women like Shahana and Hallo Bi had to go to court to seek abortion permissions
India's Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, allows abortions under broad circumstances
- Who
- Incarcerated women in Jharkhand and other Indian states
- What
- Can now access abortion rights as per the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971
- When
- The Jharkhand Prison Manual was adopted by the state assembly in May 2022
- Where
- Jharkhand and potentially other Indian states following suit
- Why
- To ensure reproductive rights and human rights are not suspended at the prison gate
- Law
- Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971
- First State
- Jharkhand
- Year of Jharkhand Prison Manual
- 2016
- Percentage of unsafe abortions in India
- 67%
- Daily deaths due to unsafe abortions
- Nearly 8