Chhattisgarh HC Allows Termination of 24+ Weeks Pregnancy for Rape Survivor

The Chattisgarh High Court granted permission for the termination of 24 weeks and 6 days pregnancy of a rape survivor upholding the right to bodily autonomy and the right to decide the termination of pregnancy. 

The court considered Section 3 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, and landmark judgments, including Suchita Srivastava and Another v. Chandigarh Administration. 

Reliance has been placed on the judgment in X v. Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of NCT of Delhi & Anr., where the apex court stated that Article 21 grants unmarried women the same reproductive rights as married women, including the right to choose whether to bear a child.