Kerala HC Allows Medical Termination Of Pregnancy Of 10 Year Old Allegedly Raped By Her Father

Coming to the aid of a 10-year old girl who is over 30 weeks pregnant after being sexually abused, allegedly by her father, the Kerala High Court today permitted medical termination of her pregnancy by the SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Justice PV Kunhikrishnan allowed a writ petition filed by the mother of the victim. The pleadings in the case were filed in a sealed cover.

Since a medical board, constituted to examine the victim, had opined that there was an 80 per cent chance of the baby surviving the procedure, the court asked the state government and the hospital to ensure the infant is provided all necessary medical assistance if it is born alive.

With these directions, the court allowed the plea moved by the mother of the minor rape victim seeking termination of her pregnancy.

The court also termed as "unfortunate" the plight of the 10-year old girl who became pregnant at such a tender age.

The medical board, in its report, had said that a surgery would have to be performed for terminating the pregnancy and that there was an 80 per cent chance the baby might survive.

The board had also said that there were risks of neonatal morbidities and also a chance of medical complications with regard to the health of the minor victim.

Click here to read/download the Judgment

With PTI inputs