India, Aug. 13 -- Rape survivors, whose pregnancies are up to 24 weeks old, do not require court approval to seek a legal termination, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has said, citing a judicial precedent.

Justice Sandeep N Bhatt of the Indore bench made the observation while dismissing a writ petition filed by the father of a 16-year-old rape survivor and directed the Commissioner of the State Health Department to disseminate the division bench's order to all concerned hospitals, especially those run by the government, so that they can take care of such situations in the future.

The minor had approached the court seeking authorisation to terminate an 18-week pregnancy resulting from sexual assault, citing severe mental trauma. The single...