SC backs medical boards at district level for termination of pregnancy

SC sought a response from the Union government within two weeks on a petition by a 14-year-old rape victim

The Supreme Court on Friday said there should be some mechanism to address the situation at the district level where a girl, who has been impregnated due to rape, can go for termination of foetus as her legal rights.

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian sought a response from the Union government within two weeks on a petition by a 14-year-old rape victim

Advocate V K Biju, appearing for the petitioner, contended he would not press for termination of pregnancy due to a report by the medical board.

He said the other plea related to medical boards at the district level was for all the victims. It is an extremely serious situation as so many children were being affected. The matter needs to be dealt with sensitivity and care.

On this, the bench said, "A girl who has been impregnated because of rape, she should know her legal rights and options. There should be some mechanism for it."

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said a new law has been proposed on the subject. She agreed to file an affidavit within two weeks.

According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, a foetus of above 20 weeks cannot be terminated without a nod from the court.

The girl, in the instant case, approached the court last month as her pregnancy was at 26-week-old.