Gujarat HC permits MTP to 14-yr-old rape victim

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court on Wednesday permitted a 14-year-old rape victim from Dahod district to get her 20-week pregnancy terminated and directed authorities at the Zydus Medical College and Hospital to carry out medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) after getting the victim’s consent.

Justice V K Vyas permitted the abortion to be carried out after the victim, through her father, filed a petition urging permission “to terminate her pregnancy, at the earliest, which is in her best interest considering her physical health, and the incident of rape, which caused grave injury to her mental health”.

After getting a medical opinion, the HC interacted with the victim, who “explicitly stated that she does not wish to carry the pregnancy and voluntarily expressed her desire to terminate it, without there being any pressure or coercion from any person, including her parents”. The HC ordered medical authorities at the Dahod hospital to undertake necessary formalities after the victim gives proper authorization. The HC also said that if the baby is alive at birth, the hospital shall ensure that the baby is offered the best medical treatment available so that it develops into a healthy child.

The HC has also directed the doctors to take the necessary tissue samples for the DNA identification and to hand them over to the investigating officer for aiding in the investigation in connection with an FIR filed with Sagtala police station under the provisions of IPC and Pocso Act.