SC directs termination of 14-year-old rape survivor’s 30-week pregnancy

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday ordered immediate termination of the 30-week pregnancy of a 14-year-old rape survivor, saying every hour was crucial for her.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala directed Mumbai’s Sion Hospital to form a team to carry out the medical termination of pregnancy.

The court has directed the hospital to ensure that the minor is safely taken to the medical facility and the Maharashtra government has agreed to bear the costs of the procedure.

On April 19, the Supreme Court bench of CJI Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala, during a special hearing late in the evening, ordered an immediate medical examination of the surviving teenager who had attempted to terminate her 28-week pregnancy.

Earlier on April 4, the Bombay High Court dismissed the request for termination of the pregnancy. Immediately the girl’s mother rushed to the Supreme Court.

The SC bench directed the Sion Hospital to immediately determine whether continuing the pregnancy could endanger the physical or mental health of the girl or fetus.

The Bench directed the hospital to submit the health condition of the 14-year-old and what effect it will have if the pregnancy is terminated.

The court directed the hospital to submit a report to the court by Monday (April 22).

Today, after going through the report submitted by the hospital, the court was directed to proceed with immediate termination of the 30-week pregnancy.

“These are very, very exceptional cases where we have to protect the children… every passing hour is of crucial importance to her,” the court said while directing the hospital for the safe abortion of the minor.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, urged the court to invoke its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to do full justice in the case. Quoting the medical report, Bhati said continuing the pregnancy could affect the welfare of the minor.

The Supreme Court set aside the order of the Bombay High Court, which had dismissed the termination of pregnancy, and directed the panel of doctors of the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai, to carry out the termination of pregnancy.

The court said: “Taking into account the urgency of the situation and the welfare of the minor, specifying her age and the alleged sexual assault, we exercise our power under Article 142 to order immediate termination of the minor’s pregnancy orders.’

UNI/SNG ARN SY ING