Allahabad HC directs UP Government to pay for the medical expenses of minor rape victim’s termination of pregnancy

On Tuesday, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court in a writ petition filed through the mother of the minor girl gave an order wherein it allowed termination of pregnancy of a 14-year-old rape victim. The Court while keeping in mind the risk involved due to the unwanted pregnancy for the minor girl allowed for termination of pregnancy.

The Court headed by Justice Saroj Yadav and Justice Ramesh Sinha ordered the termination of pregnancy based on the condition that there is no risk to the life and health of the minor girl.

The girl has been was carrying the pregnancy for 20 weeks which falls within the limitation period of Section 3 of the MTP Act, 1971. The Chief Medical Officer was directed to constitute a Medical Board to examine the situation. Based on the fact that the father of the minor girl had died and the mother was not financially sound, the Court directed the State Government to pay for the medical expenses.

The Court has further directed that the identity of the minor girl should not be disclosed in any of the documents