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Explanation. - For the purposes of this section, "examination" and "registered medical practitioner" shall have the same meanings as in section 53".

24.4 Sections 312 to 318 of the Indian Penal Code read as under:

"312. Causing miscarriage.--Whoever voluntarily causes a woman with child to miscarry, shall if such miscarriage be not caused in good faith for the purpose of saving the life of the woman, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both; and, if the woman be quick with child, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation.-A woman who causes herself to miscarry, is within the meaning of this section.
313. Causing miscarriage without woman's consent.-- Whoever commits the offence defined in the last preceding section without the consent of the woman, whether the woman is quick with child or not, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
"Section 312. Causing miscarriage,- Whoever voluntarily causes a woman with child to miscarry, shall, if such miscarriage be not caused in good faith for the purpose of saving the life of the woman, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both; and, if the woman be quick with child, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

11. Read in the context of Sections 312 and 315, IPC, it would appear that the object of the Act was to make the provisions relating to termination of pregnancy stringent and effective rather than to permit blatant termination of pregnancy. Section 312 of the IPC made causing miscarriage an offence except in good faith for the purpose of saving the life of the woman without laying down the manner in which pregnancy could be medically terminated. Section 3 of the Act provides the guidelines or limitation within which the pregnancy could be terminated." 25.8 In the case of Dr. Nikhil D. Dattar, Gynaecologist (supra), it has been held as under: