HC rejects rape victim's plea to abort foetus

Mumbai: The Bombay high court refused to give permission to a 16-year-old rape victim to abort foetus due to her poor health. According to a medical team constituted by doctors of KEM Hospital, she was too weak to carry out the abortion.

However, a doctor present in the court sought 10 days told the court that a team will examine her again after 10 days and file the report, which the court  has accepted.

A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Girish Kulkarni, was hearing a petition filed by girl’s parents. On July 18, the court had directed dean of the KEM Hospital to constitute a committee of experts in the field.

The court also directed them to keep the victim present along with her parents for medical examination to ascertain as to whether her pregnancy could be terminated. The Bombay high court had asked the committee to submit report on July 20.

According to medical evaluation conducted by doctors, “The  baby  has about less than 10 per cent chance of survival as per weight and gestational age, since the girl’s ultrasound of pelvis region showed enlarged liver and spleen, which is not favourable for carrying the foetus”.

The court kept the  next hearing on July 31.