This means the teenager will not complete the full term of her pregnancy and deliver the baby prematurely
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a 13-year-old rape survivor to terminate her 32-week-old pregnancy following a medical board's advice.
"Considering the age of the petitioner, the trauma she has suffered because of the sexual abuse, and the agony she is going through, and above all the report of the Medical Board constituted by this Court, we think it appropriate that termination of pregnancy should be allowed," a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra along with Justices Amitava Roy and AM Khanwilkar said. This means the teenager will not complete the full term of her pregnancy and deliver the baby prematurely.
Mumbai-based minor will be admitted to Sir JJ Hospital on Thursday to terminate her pregnancy. The young girl, a resident of Charkop in Kandivali, is in her 31 st week of pregnancy. A week ago, medical panel from JJ Hospital submitted its report suggesting that the child should undergo a termination.
Although she will be admitted today, the termination will be carried out on September 8. Continuation of pregnancy for a 13-year-old girl is non appropriate, terminating now or getting into labour pain later is the same and there is no additional risk involved, JJ Hospital panel explained.
Gynaecologist Dr Nikhil Datar, who helped her parents to file a petition in SC, said, "It is a path-breaking judgement. It is a historic verdict given by the SC. This is the first time that the court has given order to terminate in 31 st week of pregnancy. It is an unwanted pregnancy so it is a big relief for the parents. The girl is too young to understand her condition."
Heavy rainfall in Mumbai last week delayed her test in the hospital. "She could not reach the hospital due to downpour because of which the examination took place on Friday and on Monday due to some reasons the report could not reach the SC," added Dr Datar.
TP Lahane, Dean of Sir JJ Hospital, said, "We haven't received any order from the Supreme Court yet."
The girl's parents had filed the petition seeking permission for medical termination of her pregnancy after they realised that she was pregnant only a month ago.
In August, the girl's parents took her for an obesity check-up. Later, a sonography report revealed that she was 27-weeks pregnant.
Another case of termination of an abnormal foetus of a 28-week pregnant woman was sent to the JJ Hospital for a medical test on Wednesday. The Supreme Court will hear the case on Thursday.
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