Rape victim seeks HC nod to terminate pregnancy

A 16-year-old rape victim has knocked the doors of the Delhi High Court seeking permission to terminate her 22-week “unwanted” pregnancy. The court has said the minor needed to be medically evaluated, both physically and psychologically.

According to the minor’s plea, she was lured into sexual relationship by a married man for a year, after which she became pregnant.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru after interacting with the minor girl, who insisted that the pregnancy be terminated, said she appeared to be in considerable distress.

It directed the medical superintendent of a government hospital here to constitute a medical board, comprising a gynaecologist and a psychiatrist, to evaluate and give an opinion on medical termination of pregnancy.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act prohibits the abortion of a foetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy. An exception to the law is made if a registered medical practitioner certifies to a court that the continued pregnancy is life-threatening for either the mother or the baby.

The court, in its order passed on November 28, asked the girl to appear before the board on November 30 and directed the board to submit its report thereafter.

The victim’s counsel relied upon the Supreme Court’s orders in which the court, after examining the medical reports, had permitted the termination of pregnancy even after a period of 24 weeks of pregnancy.

NEWDELHI: