Title: High Court Grants Permission for Medical Termination of Pregnancy for 12-Year-Old Rape Survivor
The Allahabad High Court has recently granted permission for the medical termination of pregnancy to a 12-year-old rape survivor. The decision was based on the opinion of a medical board, which stated that continuing the pregnancy posed significant risks to the survivor’s physical and mental health due to her young age.
The division bench, comprising Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Prashant Kumar, passed the order in response to a writ plea filed by the minor survivor from Bulandshahr. The survivor, who has hearing and speech impairments, sought termination of her 25-week pregnancy. Following this, the court directed the district magistrate of Bulandshahr to ensure that the survivor and her mother report to JawaharLal Medical College, Aligarh, on Thursday at 10 am, where the principal of the medical college will oversee the termination of her pregnancy.
In addition to granting permission for the procedure, the high court also ordered the principal of the medical college to provide the survivor with sufficient post-operative medical facilities at no cost. A report on the survivor’s condition and the termination procedure must be submitted within three days for further court proceedings.
The court scheduled the next hearing for July 17, 2023, and requested an updated medical report from the survivor at that time.
Earlier in the case, the high court recognized the denial of a woman’s right to terminate her pregnancy after a sexual assault as a violation of her human right to live with dignity. The court emphasized that a woman cannot be forced to bear the child of her perpetrator, as this would subject her to unimaginable suffering.
This verdict reflects the court’s commitment to ensuring the survivor’s physical and mental well-being, as well as upholding her rights over her own body. By allowing this medical termination of pregnancy, the court seeks to minimize the traumatic consequences experienced by victims of sexual assault.
It is important to note that the court’s decision was based on expert medical advice and takes into account the best interests of the young survivor. This ruling intends to provide her with the necessary support to heal physically and emotionally from the traumatic incident.
While this decision is specifically tailored to the circumstances of this case, it brings attention to the larger issue of reproductive rights for women who have been sexually assaulted. By presenting a balanced view of the topic, it is evident that this ruling recognizes and respects the survivor’s autonomy in making decisions about her own body.
This landmark decision by the Allahabad High Court is aimed at protecting the rights and well-being of survivors of sexual assault, and it sets an important precedent for similar cases in the future. It signals a greater understanding of the complex challenges faced by survivors and the need to ensure their access to appropriate medical care and support.
*Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on the above-mentioned news article and does not reflect personal opinions or biases.*
