Umamageshwari Maruthapan
In a response to the Supreme Court’s direction seeking submission of a medical report concerning the termination of a 14-year old girl’s 26-week pregnancy, the Haryana State Government stated that the report is ready for submission.
The Apex Court headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde acknowledged the statement and said to submit the report in a sealed cover and listed the matter for hearing.
The petitioner, a rape victim, had requested before the Top Court to grant permission for terminating her 26-week pregnancy. She alleged that her cousin brother had repeatedly raped her which led to her pregnancy. The petition also mentioned the health complications associated with her pregnancy.
In the previous hearing, the Top Court sought reports from the government and a district hospital on the feasibility of terminating the pregnancy before deciding on the matter. It had directed the State to submit the report.
Under Section 3(2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (1971), aborting a foetus exceeding 20 weeks of pregnancy is prohibited unless permitted by the court.