Delhi High Court: A Single Judge Bench comprising of Vibhu Bakru, J. allowed the termination of pregnancy of a minor whose fetus had already undergone a gestation period of 22 weeks.
In the present order, it was noted that the petitioner had approached the High Court for direction to respondents in regard of termination of her pregnancy even after being aware of the high risks involved with the same. The Court on interaction with the 16-year old rape victim noted that she insisted on the termination of pregnancy and seemed to be in considerable distress.
Further, the Court noted the observation of Dr Sanjay Agrawal, Director Professor of Psychiatry, who was of the view that the unwanted pregnancy was causing a considerable amount of distress to Ms X. Medical Board had submitted the report which indicated that abortions of about 22 weeks carry a higher risk of mortality and morbidity. The stated risk was explained to the petitioner as well as her father, both of whom were adamant that the pregnancy should be terminated.
Learned Counsel for the petitioner while citing various decisions of Supreme Court including Chanchala Kumari v. Union of India, WP(C) No. 871 of 2017 and Venkatalakshmi v. State of Karnataka, Civil Appeal No. 1538 of 2017, noted that the Court on examining the medical reports had permitted the termination even after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Thus, the High Court keeping in consideration the above-stated allowed the petition and directed for the termination of pregnancy of the minor child. [X v. State (NCT of Delhi),2018 SCC OnLine Del 12891, Order dated 01-12-2018]
