Title: MINOR VICTIM-V v. THE STATE & ANR + W.P.(CRL) 1753/2023, CRL. M.A. 16385/2023
CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE JASMEET SINGH
O R D E R DATED: 12.06.2023
Introduction
On Monday, the Delhi High Court upheld the right of a 13-year-old rape victim to have a medical abortion even though her unborn child was between 24 and 26 weeks along. The compensation to be awarded to the youngster was also investigated by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority at the direction of a vacation bench presided over by Justice Jasmeet Singh.
Facts of the Case
The minor’s petition for a medical termination of her pregnancy was reviewed by a medical board consisting of at least two doctors from Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital on June 9.
Since the medical advisory board has determined that the mother and the unborn child are at greater risk if the pregnancy continues, the doctors at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital have been instructed to perform an abortion as soon as possible. A minor’s petition to the court for permission to have a medical abortion filed by her father was granted. The 13-year-old girl went to her grandmother’s house, when a renter from the same neighbourhood assaulted her, according to a status report filed with the Delhi Police.
The teen travelled back to her home in Bhopal, where she became ill and was then taken to the hospital by her parents, where she gave birth to a baby boy. A zero-digit FIR was filed, and on May 30, the girl was evaluated by doctors at a government hospital and confirmed to be between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. The minor’s statement was recorded per section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the court was made aware of this.
Courts Analysis and Decision
The petition is approved and disposed with, and the court has directed that the DSLSA investigate the victim’s compensation. Furthermore, the court ordered the medical staff to provide the pregnant child victim with the highest standard of treatment, which includes post-operative care, to guarantee a full recovery before she is released from the hospital.
Additionally, the court ordered that the medical staff and the hospital make sure that the patient and the mother receive constant counselling and are informed of the hazards. From the time of the victim’s hospital admittance till the time of her release, Justice Singh ordered a female police officer to remain in the hospital room with her and her daughter.
Given the foetus’s advanced age, GTB Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) would be well equipped to care for a live birth. If such a facility is unavailable, the hospital is responsible for arranging the transfer of the foetus to another facility, which includes arranging for transportation. This is the responsibility of the Medical Superintendent of the relevant hospital.
It went on to say, “In any other circumstance, it is directed that the medical facility must safeguard the terminal foetus for the sole purpose of DNA testing which would be required in reference to the criminal case who has been lodged.” Following any instructions issued by the applicable criminal court, the terminal foetus and any DNA samples taken from it must be preserved in conformity with the law.
Judgment- click here to review the judgment
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Written by- Anushka Satwani
