India, Jan. 22 -- In a landmark ruling, the Orissa High Court has permitted a rape survivor to undergo medical termination of pregnancy and directed that a DNA test of the fetus be conducted and produced before the court as evidentiary material.

The survivor had approached the High Court seeking permission for abortion as well as DNA examination of the fetus. Allowing her petition, the court observed in its judgment that the fetal DNA test may be carried out and submitted before the trial court as admissible evidence.

Ruling underscores bodily autonomy and dignity of sexual assault survivors According to case records, the survivor had initially lodged a complaint at the Rourkela Women Police Station. Subsequently, the case was transferr...