Karnataka High Court allows hysterectomy for 23-year-old woman with intellectual and developmental disabilities

The Karnataka High Court has allowed a 23-year-old woman with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy. | Photo credit: Getty Images

In a rare case, the Karnataka High Court has allowed a 23-year-old woman with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, ruling that the procedure was in her “best interests” and necessary for her health and dignity.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order while allowing a petition filed by the woman’s parents and primary caregivers to conduct the surgery at Vanivilas Hospital in Bengaluru.

Medical Council

Earlier, the court had set up a multidisciplinary medical board comprising specialists from psychology, psychiatry, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, radiology and anesthesiology after the parents approached the court seeking permission for the surgery.

What is a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman’s uterus

After a hysterectomy, the patient will not be able to get pregnant and will not have periods

A partial hysterectomy removes the uterus and leaves the neck of the womb (cervix) in place. A total hysterectomy removes the uterus and cervix.

Reasons for this surgery usually include abnormal bleeding, uterine prolapse, fibroids, and cancer

According to the latest National Family Health Survey, about 3.3% of all women aged 15 to 49 in India have undergone a hysterectomy.

Medical examination revealed that the patient had global developmental delay with moderate permanent intellectual disability, an IQ of 36, and cerebral palsy with a seizure disorder. Her social age was assessed at approximately five years and four months, permanent disability was calculated at 75%.

The medical board unanimously recommended the procedure after finding that the patient lacked the cognitive ability to understand or independently manage menstrual hygiene, resulting in recurrent infections and health complications that pose a greater health risk.

Judicial review

“This court’s decision is not based solely on surrogate consent, nor on the existence of a disability per se. Permission is granted only after judicial review, independent multidisciplinary medical assessment, consideration of the patient’s inability to provide informed consent, assessment of the absence of any contraindication to the proposed procedure, and a finding that the proposed procedure is in the best interests of the patient,” Justice Govindaraj said in his order.

In the meantime, the court ordered the hospital’s chief medical officer to make all necessary arrangements for the procedure and ensure that the patient is provided with pre-operative and post-operative counselling, care and rehabilitation services deemed necessary by the treating team, including a psychiatrist and other relevant specialists.

Published – 22 Jun 2026 18:25 IST