Supreme Court turns down abortion plea of 10-year-old rape survivor

The Supreme Court on Friday turned down abortion plea of a 10-year-old rape survivor citing that she was 32 weeks pregnant and that it was too late for her to abort now.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud took note of the report of the medical board set up by PGI (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) Chandigarh to examine the rape survivor and the consequences if the termination of pregnancy was allowed.

The bench expressed satisfaction over the medical care being provided to the rape survivor at present and dismissed the plea seeking abortion.

The bench asked Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, who was present in the court room, to consider its suggestion to set up a permanent medical board in every state to take a prompt decision on prospects of early abortion in view of the fact that such cases are reaching the apex court in a big way.

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Earlier, the Apex Court on Monday sought the response of the Centre on a plea seeking abortion of the rape survivor from Chandigarh. The court also ordered the child’s examination by a medical board consented to by one of her parents. The bench also directed that the member secretary of the Chandigarh Legal Services Authority be made a party to the case.

The bench said, “Before the matter is taken up for hearing on July 28, the member secretary, after having followed the procedure and obtained due permission of at least one of the parents of the child, shall have the child examined at the PGI, Chandigarh, by a board of doctors on July 26...”

The court had directed this so as to get an assurance whether the health of the rape survivor doesn’t get affected. “The member secretary shall carry the report of the board of doctors of the PGI, Chandigarh, to this court for its consideration, in a sealed cover,” the bench said.

The PIL was filed after a Chandigarh district court on July 18 refused to let the girl undergo the abortion after it was confirmed that she was 26 weeks pregnant.

With PTI inputs.

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