High Court Upholds IVF Procedures Amid Soldier's Vegetative State

The Delhi High Court permits continuation of IVF for an Army soldier in a persistent vegetative state, asserting his earlier consent remains valid. The court prioritizes reproductive autonomy and acknowledges the wife's right to motherhood, despite medical challenges and lack of express current consent.

The Delhi High Court has ruled in favor of continuing the IVF procedure for an Army soldier who remains in a persistent vegetative state, ensuring that his initial consent remains applicable. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav acknowledged the validity of the soldier's earlier consent and the wife's rights under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act.

The decision follows a plea by the soldier's wife, who sought the court's intervention to continue the IVF process after her husband suffered a severe brain injury, which interrupted their treatment plan. The couple had initially opted for IVF in June 2023, but a tragic fall during duty in July 2025 led to the husband's current condition.

Highlighting the importance of reproductive autonomy as a fundamental right, Justice Kaurav emphasized that procedural obstacles should not invalidate substantive legal intents. Despite concerns from the army hospital's medical board about the viability of sperm retrieval, the court maintained that the couple's destiny should not be impeded by procedural formalities.

(With inputs from agencies.)