SC allows 17-year-old Bengaluru rape survivor to abort 24-week fetus
The Supreme Court has given its nod to a 17-year-old rape survivor's pregnancy termination, allowing the Bengaluru victim to abort her 24-week fetus. While the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act only allows termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks, exceptions can be made in cases of genetically abnormal fetuses. The teenager moved the SC after the Karnataka HC rejected her abortion plea. Read more!
The Supreme Court took the decision after the Bangalore Medical College and Research Centre' medical board recommended abortion. Giving its go-ahead for the medical termination of pregnancy, the apex court has asked the hospital to conduct the procedure.
On 1 September, the Karnataka HC rejected the 17-year-old rape survivor's abortion plea; she was over 20 weeks pregnant at the time. The court refused to examine further two medical reports it had sought earlier. Justice A Bopanna said the implied observation of the reports is that there is no risk in continuing the pregnancy, but the girl doesn't want to do so.
