Court denies 18-year-old's pregnancy termination request

The Bombay High Court has rejected an 18-year-old rape survivor's request to terminate her 32-week pregnancy. This decision came after a medical board informed the court that the baby was likely to be born healthy and that the abortion could pose risks to both the mother and the unborn child. The teenager had been sexually assaulted by a relative in July 2024. Following the incident, the young woman married her boyfriend. She initially attempted to terminate her pregnancy with his support, but when that failed, her husband prevented her from trying again and physically abused her. On March 20, 2025, the court directed medical experts to examine her case. The board found the baby weighed 1.9 kg and would probably be born without any significant health issues. However, they acknowledged the emotional and mental stress the survivor faced due to her situation. After reviewing the medical advice, the judges spoke with both the survivor and her mother. The court emphasized that the chances of the baby being healthy increased if the pregnancy continued. They offered emotional, financial, and medical support for the young woman. The judges also highlighted the importance of post-delivery counseling, given her status as a sexual assault victim. Additionally, the court discussed adoption for the child. If the survivor chooses to give the baby up for adoption, the state will facilitate the necessary legal processes. The court ordered the state government to provide ₹30,000 to the teenager within one week as part of a compensation scheme for victims of sexual assaults. The government must report back on this payment by April 30, 2024.