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Bombay High Court Allows 15-Year-Old Rape Survivor to Terminate 27-Week Pregnancy

The order followed medical and psychiatric assessments finding grave mental-health risk in continuing the pregnancy.

Overview

  • A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Sandesh Patil granted permission after the minor’s pregnancy surpassed 27 weeks.
  • A JJ Hospital medical board reported no gross lethal congenital anomaly but said it lacked authority to recommend termination beyond 24 weeks and deferred to the court.
  • Psychiatric and psychological evaluations noted borderline intellectual functioning (IQ about 80) and warned of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and inability to care for a child.
  • The court directed Sir JJ Hospital to carry out the procedure expeditiously with psychological counselling before and after the termination.
  • Orders included preserving DNA for the criminal case, providing intensive care at state expense if a child is born alive, and processing interim compensation under the Manodhairya Scheme.