Directing medical termination of a 30-week pregnancy of a 17-year-old girl, the Supreme Court on Friday said that courts cannot compel a woman, much less a minor, to continue a pregnancy.

The decision comes in the case of a woman who conceived at the age of 17 and is currently 18 years and four months old, with the pregnancy having progressed to an advanced stage of 30 weeks.

While passing the verdict, the court observed that the pregnancy occurred as a result of a relationship between the minor girl and a boy. However, whether the relationship was "consensual or not", it is important to note that the girl does not want to bear the child, the apex court highlighted, adding that "ultimately the denominator is the child is illegitimate".

The judiciary cannot force a woman to become a mother against her will, the Supreme Court said. The court also directed that the procedure to terminate the pregnancy of the girl will be conducted at the JJ Hospital in Mumbai, while following all necessary protocols.