The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday allowed a 16-year-old rape survivor to medically terminate her 27-week pregnancy after a Medical Board reported that the procedure could be carried out with only a minor medical risk. The Medical Board at District Government General Hospital, Irwin Hospital, Amravati, examined the girl and submitted its report to the High Court. According to Assistant Government Pleader H D Marathe, the Board stated that there was only a minor risk and that the pregnancy could be terminated. After considering the report, a division bench of Justices Anil S Kilor and Raj D Wakode granted permission for the medical termination of pregnancy.

 

The court also directed that the girl’s parents should submit their consent form before the procedure is performed. The minor, aged 16 years and eight months, had approached the High Court through her father seeking permission to terminate the pregnancy, which had reached 27 weeks. Since the pregnancy had crossed the prescribed legal limit, the court had sought an urgent opinion from the Medical Board before taking a decision.

 

On Monday, the High Court directed the Medical Board to examine the girl immediately under the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, and submit its report without delay. After receiving the medical opinion on Tuesday, the court allowed the petition and permitted the termination of the pregnancy. Advocate S H Bhatia represented the petitioner, while AGP H D Marathe appeared for the State.