The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday directed the police in Anand district to take a pregnant girl to the family of her alleged rapist, after she told the court that she loved him and wanted to give birth to his child.
The court also asked the social welfare officer of Mahisagar district, where the man’s family lives, to ensure that the baby was delivered safely, and directed the government hospital authorities to take care of the baby’s health.
The girl had moved the High Court against a lower court order refusing permission for the termination of her 24-week pregnancy. The lower court had said abortion could not be allowed post-20th week as per the law.
When Justice J.B. Pardiwala summoned the victim on Wednesday, she said she loved the accused, and would like to live in his house and give birth to her baby. The accused was also called by the court. He assured the court that he would take care of her and the child.
‘Facts are different’
The court noted that in her statement to the police, the girl had said she was in a relationship with the accused, who is now in jail on charges of kidnapping and raping her.
While the petition suggested she was a rape survivor who wanted to abort her foetus, the fact was something else, as her mother was more worried about society rather than her daughter, the judge said.
