Minor Rape Victim Seeking Termination Of 24 Weeks Old Pregnancy: Delhi HC Asks RML Hospital To Constitute Medical Board

The Single Bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru has directed Medical Superintendent of Ram Manohar Lohia hospital to constitute a medical board to examine the victim and give its report as expeditiously as possible.

The order has come in a plea moved by a 16 years old rape victim, who has sought court's permission to terminate her pregnancy.

It is stated in her petition that she was medically examined on 25/01/2020 at BSA Hospital, Rohini, where the doctors referred her for seeking opinion as she was found to be 24 weeks pregnant.

Pursuant to that medical referral, an FIR was lodged under sections 376 and 506 of IPC, and section 4 of the POCSO Act.

The Petitioner is aggrieved by the fact that section 3 of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, which does not permit termination of pregnancy when the period of gestation is more than 20 weeks.

During the proceedings, Advocate Kamna Vohra, who was appearing for the victim, had asked the court to direct the Medical Supritendent of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to constitute the medical board.

However, the court found it appropriate to let the Medical Superintendent at RML Hospital, to constitute the said medical board.

In light of the said facts, the court has asked for a psychiatrist to be included in the said medical board.

Moreover, the court has also asked the Medical Superintendent to send a representative to appear before the court on the next date of hearing.