India, May 24 -- A 16-year-old rape survivor, whose pregnancy had crossed 27 weeks, was allowed medical termination of pregnancy by the Rajasthan High Court on Friday, with the court observing that a minor rape survivor cannot be compelled to continue with an unwanted pregnancy merely because the gestational age had crossed the statutory threshold. Allowing the writ petition, Justice Mukesh Rajpurohit directed the Superintendent of S.N. Medical College to ensure that the termination procedure is carried out forthwith by a team of expert doctors under proper medical supervision. The petition was filed by the grandfather of the minor victim seeking permission for termination of pregnancy under Sections 3 and 5 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. According to the order, the girl became pregnant following sexual assault by a person known to her. An FIR was registered under Section 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the POCSO Act. The court noted that medical examination revealed that the victim was carrying a live fetus of over 27 weeks and was also suffering from severe anaemia, with low haemoglobin levels. The Jodhpur Medical Board opined that although termination of pregnancy carried risks due to teenage pregnancy, severe anaemia and advanced gestational age, the procedure could still be undertaken under expert medical supervision. "The constitutional guarantee under Article 21 of the Constitution of India encompasses within its fold the right to dignity, bodily integrity and reproductive autonomy," the bench observed. "A minor rape survivor cannot be compelled to continue with an unwanted pregnancy merely on account of the gestational age having crossed the statutory threshold, particularly when the victim herself seeks such termination," the bench further said. The court also directed that the foetal tissue or fetus be preserved for DNA profiling and forensic examination in connection with the criminal investigation.Apart from granting relief in the present case, the court took note of submissions regarding alleged procedural lapses and delays in handling cases involving medical termination of pregnancy of minor rape victims. The bench observed that the absence of a clear and time-bound Standard Operating Procedure often results in systemic delays, adversely affecting the reproductive rights and bodily autonomy of victims. The court said the issue required serious consideration for framing appropriate SOPs and directions to ensure expeditious handling of such sensitive cases in future. The petition has been listed for further hearing in the first week of July....