Chhattisgarh High Court Denies Abortion Request for Minor

In recent rulings, both the Allahabad High Court and the Chhattisgarh High Court have denied requests for the termination of pregnancies for minor rape survivors at advanced gestational ages. The Allahabad High Court refused to allow a 13-year-old girl, who was 32 weeks pregnant due to sexual assault, to terminate her pregnancy, citing that carrying it to term posed less risk to her health than termination. Similarly, the Chhattisgarh High Court ruled against a 16-year-old rape survivor, who was 31 weeks pregnant, stating that terminating her pregnancy would not be ethical or legally permissible due to the viability of the fetus and associated risks. Both courts ordered the respective state governments to cover the costs associated with childbirth and to assist with potential adoption. Medical boards in each case provided reports indicating that the risks of termination outweighed those of continuing the pregnancy. These decisions reflect a broader legal and ethical debate surrounding the rights of minors and the implications of pregnancy resulting from sexual assault.