The Madhya Pradesh High Court has expressed serious concern over the handling of a rape survivor’s abortion case by the Health Department and the medical professionals involved. The Court observed that under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, doctors are legally empowered to make decisions independently in situations covered by the Act, and therefore, seeking the Court’s permission in every case is not mandatory. It directed the authorities to issue clear operational guidelines to prevent unnecessary delays and emotional distress for survivors in the future. The Court also instructed that the survivor receive appropriate medical treatment and essential healthcare while ensuring that all relevant medico-legal evidence is properly preserved.
