Jharkhand HC rejects abortion plea of minor rape survivor

Ranchi: The Jharkhand high court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by a minor rape survivor seeking permission for medical termination of her pregnancy. The high court also directed the state government to ensure that the expenses incurred in the delivery and for the well-being of the newborn and the survivor will be borne by the government.
The court of justice Ananda Sen had earlier sought a medical report from Bokaro General Hospital, where the girl is undergoing treatment. A three-member medical board headed by the director of the hospital sent their report to the high court saying the girl was examined and it was found that the foetus is 34 weeks old.
The report further mentioned that the girl is anaemic and has low hemoglobin, due to which the medical termination of the foetus could pose a threat to her life. The doctors opined that no procedure of abortion can be done at this stage.
The bench, in consonance of the opinion of the medical board, rejected the petition filed by the girl and observed that the government will have to cater to the medical expenditure incurred by her and her family. The government will also provide for expenses to the girl and her newborn for six months after the child is born, the court said.
The petition was filed by the survivor before the high court informing that she was sexually abused by a married man who duped her into having a physical relationship with him. The victim conceived after being exploited by the accused. She then came to know that the accused is married. A FIR has also been registered against him.
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