Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court on Thursday directed a medical board at the district hospital in Korba to examine a rape survivor who is seeking permission to terminate a pregnancy of approximately 15 weeks. The board has been instructed to submit its report to the court before the next hearing, scheduled for June 15.
Court Order and Proceedings
Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal issued the order while hearing a petition titled "X Y Z versus State of Chhattisgarh" at the admission stage. The court issued notices to the respondents. Deputy Advocate General Anand Dadariya accepted the notice on behalf of the state, and the court recorded that the petitioner would not be required to pay any process fee. Additionally, the court directed that an additional set of the petition and annexures be served to the state's counsel on the same day.
Petitioner's Submission
According to the submissions recorded in the order, the petitioner stated that she is a rape survivor linked to a crime registered in 2025 at Police Station Bankimongra in Korba district. The order notes that she was approximately 12 weeks pregnant when discovered by police authorities, and the gestation period is now about 15 weeks. The petitioner asserted that she has attained 18 years of age, has consented to the termination, and has filed the writ petition supported by affidavits seeking permission for medical termination of pregnancy.
Medical Board Composition and Directives
The court directed that the petitioner be medically examined by a medical board constituted under Section 3 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, as amended in 2021. The board must include a gynecologist, a pediatrician, a radiologist or sonologist, and any other member as required. The board was also directed to verify the petitioner's identity in relation to the FIR in the crime.
Examination and Reporting
The petitioner was directed to appear before the chief medical officer or medical board of the district hospital in Korba by June 12, 2026, at 2:00 pm. The board is required to examine and report on the patient's physical and mental state, the stage of pregnancy, the overall condition of the fetus, whether termination would be detrimental, whether carrying the pregnancy to full term would be detrimental, and related investigation findings.
Expenses and Compliance
The court ordered that any expenses incurred for the medical examination be borne by the state government. The registry was directed to send a copy of the order to the Chief Medical Officer or Medical Board for compliance and to supply a copy to the state counsel on the same day.
