#Medical Board Opinion

The CAT Principal Bench held that candidates seeking reservation under the PwD quota must strictly meet the exact locomotor disability specifications (One Arm/One Leg) notified in the recruitment advertisement; a general medical board certification for a different disability category (both legs affected) does not qualify the candidate for the reserved post.

The Kerala High Court ruled that the defence department cannot deny disability pension merely because a medical condition originated in a peace station; it must prove the condition is not attributable to or aggravated by military service, especially when the claim is filed within 15 years of discharge. This shifts the legal burden decisively onto the state, empowering veterans with delayed-onset service-related disabilities to seek justice without needing to prove causation themselves.

Karnataka High Court ruled that expert medical opinion from a constituted Medical Board prevails over the 24-week statutory limit under the MTP Act for termination of pregnancy in POCSO cases, where the survivor's health is at risk. The decision underscores the primacy of medical expertise in sensitive cases involving minors, setting a precedent for similar petitions.

Jharkhand High Court allows medical termination of pregnancy beyond 24 weeks for a 14-year-old rape victim, citing severe psychological trauma and Medical Board opinion. The ruling mandates state responsibility for expenses and fetal tissue preservation for DNA testing, setting a precedent for similar cases under the MTP Act.

Bombay High Court ruled that the 24-week gestational limit under the MTP Act does not apply when a Medical Board confirms a 'substantial fetal abnormality' under Section 3(2)(b). The Court permitted termination at 34 weeks for non-lethal skeletal dysplasia, emphasizing the risk of severe lifelong morbidity over statutory timelines, reinforcing reproductive autonomy in exceptional medical cases.

The Madras High Court ruled that disability pension under the 2008 Rules cannot be granted based on presumptions of service stress or duration alone. The court emphasized that medical evidence linking the disability to military service is mandatory, setting a precedent for armed forces personnel seeking disability benefits. This decision reinforces the need for rigorous medical causation proof, impacting veterans' pension claims.

Kerala High Court permits termination of 32-week pregnancy due to severe fetal microcephaly and neurological abnormalities, affirming reproductive autonomy under Section 3(2-B) of the MTP Act.