Supreme Court Pushes for Legal Change on Termination of Minor's Pregnancy

The Indian Supreme Court has called for legal reforms to allow rape survivors, including minors, to terminate unwanted pregnancies beyond 20 weeks. The court's verdict emphasized the importance of safeguarding a minor's reproductive rights and autonomy, criticizing the Centre's plea against a 15-year-old's pregnancy termination at 30 weeks.

The Supreme Court of India ruled on Thursday, urging the Centre to amend existing legislation to allow rape survivors, including minors, to terminate unwanted pregnancies beyond the 20-week limitation. The court's decision came as it dismissed a plea from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), which sought to prevent a 15-year-old's pregnancy termination at 30 weeks.

Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi emphasized the need for laws that align with evolving times, underscoring the importance of the minor's reproductive autonomy. They criticized the prolonged duration of trials, urging for their completion within a week to spare the victim further trauma.

The court criticized AIIMS' stance of presenting the issue as 'child versus child' and asserted that the final decision on the termination rests with the adolescent and her parents. The court highlighted the right to bodily autonomy and dismissed arguments based on the foetus's viability, marking a significant push for legal reform in reproductive rights.