HC allows pregnant rape survivor to give birth to baby after she refuses MTP

Bhopal/Jabalpur: The Madhya Pradesh High Court allowed a minor rape victim, who is pregnant, to give birth to the child after she expressed reluctance to undergo medical termination of pregnancy, with her parents also supporting her decision.

The court said the state government will arrange for the safe delivery of the rape survivor and bear all expenses on food, clothing and education of the baby till the child attains the age of 16 years. The case was referred to the high court by the special POCSO judge posted at Mandleshwar in Khargone district and was taken up as a suo motu petition seeking permission to terminate the pregnancy.

When the matter came up before Justice R K Vani, the minor rape survivor and her parents, who were present in court, stated that they did not want the pregnancy terminated and that the petition be dismissed. Counsel for the state government also supported the stand taken by the rape survivor and her parents.

Following this, the court disposed of the petition and directed the state government to take care of the prenatal and postnatal needs of the mother and her baby. It said medical and food expenses during pregnancy would be borne by the state government, which would also cover the expenses on education, food and clothing of the child till the age of 16 years.