Gauhati HC Directs Counselling Of Parents Of Minor Rape Survivor Who Underwent Pregnancy Termination To Ensure She Isn't Abandoned

The Gauhati High Court on Thursday directed the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority to undertake counselling of the parents of the minor girl, who was allowed to terminate her 26-week pregnancy after she was allegedly gang raped, so that they do not abandon her. A division bench comprising Justice Kalyan Rai Surana and Justice Susmita Phukan Khaund further directed the concerned authorities such as Child Protection Committee to do necessary follow-up of the girl to continue to provide her with all the medical and counselling facilities in a manner they may deem appropriate. The Court thus observed: “As abandoning of a child in need of care and protection may not be legally permissible, therefore, the Secretary, DLSA through a learned pare-legal volunteer shall undertake counselling of the parents so that they do not abandon the victim 'X' as institutionalization of such victim may not be in the best interest of the victim.” On December 9 the Court permitted the minor girl to terminate her pregnancy, after noting that it would be in her best interest. Pursuant to the said order the District Child Protection Officer submitted a status report before the Court wherein it was stated that the medical termination of pregnancy was conducted on December 14 and prior to that, the survivor was given prior counselling; post MTP, the Counsellor of District Child Protection Unit, the Supervisor of Child Helpline under the District Child Protection Unit had visited the hospital for monitoring the girl as per direction of the DCPO.