Karnataka High Court Allows 26-Week Pregnancy Termination for Minor Rape Survivor

The Karnataka High Court permitted the medical termination of a 26-week pregnancy of a minor rape survivor, holding that forcing her to continue with an unwanted pregnancy would violate her right to life and dignity.

Justice R Nataraj observed that courts must not hesitate to protect the honour and dignity of a 17-year-old survivor of sexual assault.

Relying on Supreme Court precedent, the Court exercised its extraordinary jurisdiction to allow termination beyond the statutory limit, emphasising that bodily autonomy and dignity must prevail in such cases.