The Bombay High Court has granted permission to a 17-year-old sexual abuse victim to continue her 26-week pregnancy. The court recognized the minor’s reproductive freedom and right to choice.
A division bench comprising Justices A S Gadkari and Neela Gokhale acknowledged the teenager’s autonomy over her body. Initially, she had sought termination of the pregnancy but later decided to give birth to her child, intending to marry the 22-year-old man who had allegedly abused her.
The court stated, “We are conscious of the petitioner’s right to reproductive freedom, her autonomy over the body, and her right to choice.” It allowed her to medically terminate the pregnancy if she wishes, but also recognized her desire to continue with it.
The teenager and her mother have expressed their willingness to carry the pregnancy to full term. A medical board at JJ Hospital found no abnormalities in the fetus, but noted that the minor was not in a proper mental state to give birth due to her age.
The court’s decision upholds the teenager’s right to make choices about her body and future. The case highlights the complexities of reproductive rights and the need for nuanced approaches to such sensitive issues.