Medical experts allow abortion in 14-yr-old rape victim's case

AHMEDABAD: Following the Supreme Court's directive, a medical team here this evening gave permission for termination of a minor rape victim's 25-week-old pregnancy though the law allows abortion only until the 20th week.

"A panel of five doctors -- four from civil hospital and a private practitioner -- has given the nod for abortion," superintendent of the civil hospital M M Prabhakar told PTI.

The Supreme Court had Tuesday last come to the rescue of the 14 years old victim who had been denied permission to abort the foetus by the sessions as well as the High Court. The apex court said she can undergo abortion if medical experts allow it.

The abortion is likely to be performed tomorrow, Prabhakar said.

The girl became pregnant after being allegedly raped by doctor Jatin Mehta whom she had visited for treatment of typhoid earlier this year.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices A R Dave and Kurian Joseph had said it would ask the civil hospital here to get the girl examined by gynaecologists and a clinical psychologist.

"If they say that she has to be operated upon then let them do it with the consent of the girl and her parents," the apex court had said.

Earlier Gujarat High Court's Justice Abhilasha Kumari had refused permission for abortion on July 24 on the ground that the law does not allow it after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The girl's father had first moved the sessions court seeking termination of pregnancy, saying she was in no position to take care of the child.

The apex court had also directed that in case of abortion, a DNA test of the foetus should be carried out which can help in the trial of the accused doctor.