Supreme Court permits a 14-year-old victim of rape to terminate a 28-week pregnancy
A 14-year-old rape victim’s 28-week pregnancy was ordered to be immediately medically terminated by the Supreme Court on Monday.
A court led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud overturned a Bombay High Court ruling, observing that the medical board in Sion has expressed a clear opinion that the minor’s physical and mental health may be negatively impacted by the pregnancy’s continuance.
The bench said that while there is some risk involved, the board has stated that there is no more risk associated with carrying out the termination than there is with full delivery.
The bench said that the medical termination of a youngster has been sought to be handled by the Dean of Sion Hospital.
The rape victim, who is seeking to terminate her 28-week pregnancy, had her medical examination ordered by the supreme court earlier on Friday.
After reading an email from the rape victim requesting immediate court assistance, the bench convened to hear the case.
Aishwarya Bhati, Additional Solicitor General, spoke on behalf of the government.
The maximum period for a married woman to terminate a pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act is 24 weeks. This also applies to women in specific categories, such as rape survivors, and other vulnerable women, including children and women with disabilities.
