The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed the medical termination of a 25-week pregnancy carried by a minor victim of sexual assault. The high court passed the direction on a plea moved by the mother of the 13-year-old victim. Justice Prathiba M. Singh directed the medical board of Safdarjung Hospital to undertake the procedure for the termination of pregnancy on Wednesday. “The petitioner is 13 years old and a victim of sexual assault, and an FIR has already been registered for the same,” the court ruled. Further, the petitioner does not wish to carry on with the pregnancy. “This position of the petitioner is confirmed by the mother of the petitioner, who is acting as her legal guardian.” “Under these circumstances, keeping in mind the petitioner’s interest in her life, her tender age, her education, and the social circumstances, this court is of the opinion that the pregnancy is terminated,” justice Singh said. The court passed the direction after considering the medical report. The court also interacted with the doctors of the medical board, who joined the proceedings through video conferencing. , “From the interaction, it appears that there are risks involved in the termination of pregnancy as well as in continuing with the pregnancy,” the court said. The court directed that the minor be admitted to the hospital on Wednesday by 9 a.m. , The doctors on the medical board assured the court that they would give the petitioner the best care during the pregnancy termination process. The minor petitioner approached the court by moving a petition through advocate Shreyance Singhavi. The High Court on Monday directed the Safdarjung hospital to constitute a medical board and examine the petitioner. The bench was directed to preserve a sample of the foetus for the purpose of a criminal case, which may be required in the future. The court, after considering the fact that the petitioner is a victim of sexual assault, ruled that the cost of terminating the pregnancy shall be borne by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The court has also directed that the DCPA release a sum of Rs 10,000 for the immediate nutrition and other medical needs of the petitioner after the termination of her pregnancy.
