HC allows abortion for 14-yr-old rape survivor

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court on Tuesday permitted a 14-year-old rape survivor from Dang to get her 15-week pregnancy terminated and directed the authorities at the GMERS Medical College Hospital at Valsad to carry out the procedure in accordance with the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.The teen became pregnant after a 28-year-old from her village raped her. The accused is behind bars after the Ahwa police registered an FIR against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The victim approached the HC through advocate Rafik Lokhandwala, stating that she was not desirous of continuing with the pregnancy and sought the court's permission for an abortion under the MTP Act.
On Feb 12, the HC ordered a medical examination of the teen, and a team of gynaecologists, a psychiatrist, a physician, and a radiologist examined her. They found that the victim's pregnancy was 15 weeks and that it could be terminated.The HC permitted the survivor to get the pregnancy terminated and directed the hospital authorities to do so after constituting a medical team. The victim must submit an appropriate undertaking authorising the surgery to be conducted at her risk. Since the case involved criminal proceedings under Pocso, the HC directed, "The doctors shall take the necessary tissue samples for DNA identification by following scientific practice for DNA identification, and such samples shall be handed over to the investigating officer concerned."The HC also issued necessary directions in case the baby is live at birth and the victim is not desirous of keeping the child with her.