BackParents of minor rape victim move SC seeking permission for abortion
The 14-year-old, who is six months pregnant, had earlier been denied relief by the Gujarat high court
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New Delhi: The parents of a 14-year-old rape survivor moved the Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking the termination of pregnancy of the minor girl.
The minor, who is six months pregnant from rape, had earlier been denied relief by the Gujarat high court. Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, a woman cannot be allowed to undergo an abortion beyond the statutory period of 20 weeks of pregnancy.
A bench consisting of justices Anil. R Dave and Kurien Joseph heard the matter and issued notice to the government of Gujarat to look into the matter immediately.
A team consisting of the three senior-most gynaecologists of a civil hospital accompanied by a psychologist will examine the minor on Wednesday and apprise the court of their findings, the order said.
The team of doctors will have to examine if there exists a threat to the life of the minor if the pregnancy is terminated. If termination is decided, then the DNA of the foetus should be preserved as evidence to establish paternity, the court said.
Senior counsel Kamini Jaiswal, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, said that the minor is neither mentally nor physically capable of going through the pregnancy.
The minor was sedated and raped by a doctor in February when she was taken for treatment of typhoid. She was discovered to be four months pregnant in June and a case of rape was registered against the accused under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
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