#minor pregnancy termination

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that a Medical Board must be constituted immediately to evaluate the safety of terminating a pregnancy beyond 24 weeks in cases of minor rape survivors, affirming that the health and rights of the victim override procedural delays. This sets a critical precedent for expediting medical access in POCSO cases where gestational limits are exceeded, ensuring compliance with Supreme Court guidelines on reproductive autonomy and child welfare.

Karnataka High Court allows medical termination of a 25-week pregnancy for a minor sexual assault survivor, holding that reproductive autonomy under Article 21 overrides statutory limits when a Medical Board certifies safety. The ruling sets a precedent for victim-centric interpretations of the MTP Act, mandating compensation, counselling, and care under the Victim Compensation Scheme.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that the mental trauma of rape constitutes a 'grave injury' under the MTP Act, permitting termination of pregnancy at 25 weeks for a minor victim. This decision reinforces the Act's Explanation 1, prioritizing bodily autonomy and mental health over gestational limits for rape survivors.