Srinagar, Sept. 12 -- The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has permitted the medical termination of pregnancy of a 15-year-old minor sexual assault survivor, whose pregnancy had advanced to approximately 24-26 weeks, holding that she could not be compelled to carry the pregnancy to term against her wishes.

Justice Sanjay Parihar allowed the petition filed by the minor through her father and directed the authorities to take immediate steps for termination of the pregnancy, notwithstanding that the gestational age had crossed the 24-week statutory limit applicable under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and Rules.

The case arises from an alleged sexual assault involving the minor from the border area of Uri, in connection w...