In a recent decision, the Chhattisgarh High Court has denied abortion permission to a minor girl who became pregnant following rape, citing medical advice regarding the risks involved due to the advanced stage of pregnancy. The girl, hailing from Rajnandgaon district, approached the court seeking permission to terminate her pregnancy, but the court declined her request based on the findings of a nine-member medical expert team.
Justice Parth Pratim Sahu presided over the hearing, during which he ordered the medical examination of the victim. The medical team, after examining the victim, concluded that while abortion could typically be considered safe up to 24 weeks of pregnancy under special circumstances, the girl had surpassed this period, making the procedure dangerously risky for her health.
The medical report revealed that the victim’s pregnancy was approximately 32 weeks along. The doctors advised that at this stage, proceeding with the birth posed fewer risks compared to undergoing an abortion. Consequently, the High Court rejected the petition based on the expert opinions, prioritizing the victim’s health and safety.
