HC nod sought for end to pregnancy of raped minor

The High Court on Friday directed the medical superintendent of KC General Hospital in Malleswaram to form a two-member committee to conduct medical evaluation and viability of terminating the pregnancy of a 15-year-old girl, who is 25 weeks pregnant, and submit a report on March 24.

The girl’s mother has moved the High Court for permission to terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible as it is a result of rape.

She sought the formation of a committee to evaluate the best interests of the girl and the viability of the termination of pregnancy in accordance with Section 3 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, which talks about pregnancies that may be terminated by registered medical practitioners.

The mother said her daughter was kidnapped and raped. A complaint has been registered at the Rajagopalanagar police station. She learnt about her daughter’s pregnancy on March 16 and said the childbirth would traumatise the young victim.

Justice A S Bopanna in his directions to the medical superintendent said that medical examination conducted on the minor girl should also consider the viability of termination of pregnancy as per the Section 3 of the said Act.

The hospital will have to take steps following the court’s directions. The minor will be accompanied by her mother on March 21 at 11 am to comply with the court orders and submit a report to the court on March 24.