The Bombay High Court on Tuesday allowed a 16-year-old rape victim to terminate her 22-week-old pregnancy. A Division Bench of Justices Naresh Patil and G.S. Kulkarni was hearing a petition by the girl’s father. A report from the Medical Board of Mumbai’s KEM Hospital had been sought.
In a report on July 20, the team of doctors had said, “The risk of maternal death in women with severe anaemia is 2.5 times more compared with those without, as per leading scientific publications. Keeping in mind the patient’s long-term interest, the pregnancy may be terminated only after ensuring fitness. Detailed counselling of the patient’s parents should be done regarding risks.”
The report said, “At present the patient is medically fit with due inherent risks of failure, infection ...In view of the stated sexual assault, due psychological support may be offered to the patient during and after the procedure and she can be admitted now.”
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The High Court directed the Dean of KEM Hospital to terminate the pregnancy. The accused, a neighbour, is in judicial custody. The victim failed her Class X exams and will retake it next year.