J&K&L High Court Denies 27 Week Abortion Request of a 14 Year Old Rape Survivor

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has denied permission for the medical termination of a 27-week pregnancy of a 14-year-old rape survivor.

Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal ruled that preserving the minor's life takes precedence over reproductive choice when a Medical Board flags a grave, imminent threat to her safety.

Experts warned that an advanced-stage abortion carried catastrophic obstetric risks, including hemorrhaging and sepsis.

Invoking the parens patriae doctrine, the Court prioritized physical survival over psychological distress, while directing state authorities to provide the minor with comprehensive statutory care and long-term rehabilitation.