Supreme Court Allows Rape Survivor to Terminate 27-Week Pregnancy, Slams Gujarat HC

New Delhi: Opining that pregnancy outside marriage is injurious and a cause of stress, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed a medical termination of 27-week pregnancy of a rape survivor.

A Supreme Court bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan also observed that the Gujarat High Court’s decision to reject the plea for termination of pregnancy was not correct.

“Pregnancy outside marriage is injurious, particularly in cases of sexual assault or abuse and is a cause of stress and trauma affecting the physical and mental health of pregnant women”, the bench said.

“In view of the above discussion and the medical report, we permit the appellant to terminate her pregnancy. We direct her to be present in hospital tomorrow so that procedure for termination of pregnancy can be carried out,” the bench added.