A reply is being sought by the Supreme Court on Friday from the centre to form medicial boards in the states and the Union territories which will decide regarding the termination 20 weeks old pregnancies of the rape victims.
It was observed by the bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde and Justice AS Bopanna who was hearing the plea of a 14 years old girl rape victim who was allegedly raped by her relative. While hearing the plea, the CJI said that the rape victim who are pregnant must be told about her legal rights.
In this case, the victim has approached the court for the permission for the termination of her 26 weeks old pregnancy, for which the court asked for a medical report.The CJI said and told to the additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati that, ” when rape cases are not reported to you as a state, it’s different.
But when it’s reported, then you can follow up with whether she (the survivor) is pregnant and what are her legal rights. When a woman is raped and pregnant she must be told of options.”While Bhati on this said that she will file an affidavit and added that Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill,2020, which increases the time period of pregnancy, is pending in Rajya Sabha.
Lawcutor 