The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday the plea of a 14-year-old alleged rape victim, who is seeking termination of her 28-week pregnancy. The case is scheduled as the first item on the agenda for Monday, with a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala, according to the top court’s website.
Previously, on April 19, the Supreme Court had ordered the medical examination of the minor on her mother’s plea, challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision to deny termination of the pregnancy due to its advanced stage.
The court had requested a report from Mumbai’s Sion Hospital regarding the girl’s physical and psychological condition in the event of medical termination of pregnancy, or if advised against it.
The bench directed the medical superintendent of the hospital to form a medical board, and the report is expected to be presented before the court on April 22, the next date of hearing. The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that the minor is currently 28 weeks pregnant and is in Mumbai.
Representing the government in the matter, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appeared in court.
Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, termination of pregnancy is permissible up to 24 weeks for various categories of women, including rape survivors, differently-abled individuals, and minors.
(With PTI inputs)