India, May 4 -- When her mother noticed her 15-year-old's distended belly, she sat her down to ask a few questions. The teenager couldn't remember when she had her last period. A quick visit to the doctor confirmed a pregnancy, 27 weeks, or nearly seven months. Because it had advanced beyond the legal limit of 24 weeks, her mother filed a petition before the Delhi high court on April 13 for permission for what's known in medical terms as a late-stage termination.

Three days later, under orders from the high court, an eight-member board of specialists including a gynaecologist, paediatrician and psychiatrist from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) was set up.

Not advisable, the board concluded. Termination at this stage ...