Starting September 23, 2025, the Allahabad High Court has registered a suo-moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the issue of delay at different levels in taking appropriate steps while dealing with cases of termination of pregnancy of rape survivors, LiveLaw has reported.
A division bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Arun Kumar had then observed the necessity of addressing the procedural lags that often hinder timely medical intervention for survivors of sexual assault incidents (In Re Framing Of Guidelines For Sensitizing All Concerned In Cases Of Termination Of Pregnancies-cause title). To assist the Court in this crucial and significant matter, the bench has also appointed Advocate Mahima Maurya as the Amicus Curiae.
On November 27, the Amicus Curiae and Additional Chief Standing Counsel Rajiv Gupta, appearing for the State, made submissions with various suggestions to sensitise authorities and streamline the process. The matter is listed next on January 13. The High Court is expected to deliberate further on the suggestions provided to ensure that appropriate guidelines are framed for sensitizing all concerned in cases of termination of pregnancies.
The first order in this case taking suo moto cognizance was passed on October 23, 2025 after which the matter was listed on October 16, October 30, November 7 (during which hearing Ms. Mahima Maurya Kushwaha, Amicus Curiae and Shri Rajiv Gupta, the additional chief standing counsel for the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) made submissions giving various suggestions). The matter was listed thereafter on December 15, 2025 when the last order was passed listing the matter on January 13, 2026.
Related:
Married woman has the autonomy to choose termination of pregnancy, not medical board: Bombay HC
Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act Failing Women Who Need It The Most