The Gujarat HC on Thursday sought medical report from a panel of doctors at the Civil Hospital after a 13-year-old pregnant rape survivor in Ranip approached the High Court seeking permission for abortion.
The HC has issued notice to the authorities & sought report from the doctors by Feb 24, when further hearing on the plea has been posted. In this case, the girl was allegedly raped by her maternal uncle.
Earlier this week, the teen’s mother approached a city sessions court to get her 22-week pregnancy aborted on the ground that it is the only option available to the family to avoid social stigma & for better prospects of her daughter. She also cited the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 which recommends abortion permission till 24 weeks of pregnancy.
The city sessions court rejected the application citing that the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Bill is still pending & hasn't become a law yet. The present law says that permission for abortion can't be granted beyond 20-week pregnancy.
This brought the rape survivor’s mother to the HC seeking invocation of extraordinary powers conferred on it. Justice S H Vora has ordered that the pregnant teen should be examined by the empanelled doctors at the Civil Hospital. She should be admitted immediately for medical examination to inform the court “as to whether termination of pregnancy is medically feasible considering the fact that she is allegedly victim of rape & her guardian inclines to terminate her pregnancy. Doctors concerned shall follow settled guidelines to know her mental & psychological preparedness”.
(The victim's identity hasn't been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
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