14 YR OLD RAPE SURVIVOR APPROACHES SC SEEKING PERMISSION TO TERMINATE 26 WEEK PREGNANCY

2nd March

Under Section 3 (2) (b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, termination of pregnancy exceeding twenty weeks is not allowed without the leave of the Hon’ble court.

A 14-year-old girl from Haryana approached the Supreme Court headed by Justice SA Bobde seeking permission to terminate her 26-week old pregnancy. In her plea, she stated that she was raped by her cousin, leading to an unwanted pregnancy.

The Supreme Court bench directed that the government immediately constitute a medical board in Haryana to ascertain that it would be safe for a 14 yr old rape victim to terminate 26 weeks’ fetus. The bench, which also included Justice AS Bopanna and Justice V Ramasubhramanian, ordered the hospital to set up a medical board to examine the practicality of such termination and submit a report by Friday. And further issued a notice to the Haryana Government seeking their reply on this matter.

The Counsel appearing on behalf of the Survivor urged the bench to direct the medical board to fasten the procedure.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal