HC permits 11 year old sexual assault survivor to terminate 30 week pregnancy

Mumbai, Oct 31: The Bombay High Court on Thursday permitted an 11-year-old sexual assault survivor to terminate her 30-week pregnancy.

A vacation bench of Justices Sharmila Deshmukh and Jitendra Jain said the minor shall undergo the procedure for termination on Thursday itself at the state-run J J hospital here.

The girl had moved HC through her father seeking permission to end the pregnancy.

Under the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, the court’s permission is required to terminate a pregnancy beyond 20 weeks.

As per the plea, the girl is a survivor of sexual assault and a case has also been registered against an unknown person under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Under the Constitution, the court said, it can permit medical termination of a pregnancy that exceeds the 20-week gestation period in contingencies as set out in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.

“The petitioner is a minor girl who is a victim of sexual assault. Hence, the petitioner is permitted to undergo medical termination of pregnancy,” the court said.

The court directed for the blood and tissue samples of the fetus to be preserved for carrying out DNA or other tests that would be required during the trial of the criminal case.

The court added that if the baby is born alive then all medical facilities should be made available to save its life.

“If the child is born alive and the petitioner or her parents are not willing to or are not in a position to take responsibility of the child, the State government will assume full responsibility of the child,” it said. (PTI)

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

31 militants killed in Pak

Peshawar, Sept 15: At least 31 militants belonging to...

BJP flags concern over girl’s death, reposes faith in state police

Shillong, Sept 15: The state BJP has expressed deep...

Screening test for UPSC coaching on Sept 20

Shillong, Sept 15: The screening test for admission to...

Missing girl child found dead

Shillong, Sep 15: The four-year-old girl, who was reported...

Bhupen Hazarika@100: Echoes of a Timeless Voice in a New India

By Dipak Kurmi The centenary birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna...

Arunachal schoolgirls march 65 km to highlight teacher shortage

Itanagar, Sep 15: At least 90 students from Kasturba...

It’s funny, irreverent but not frivolous: Twinkle Khanna-Kajol on new chat show

Mumbai, Sept 15: Bollywood actors Twinkle Khanna and Kajol,...

2025 Waqf law: SC stalls key provisions but refuses to stay entire law

New Delhi, Sept 15: The Supreme Court on Monday...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories