Chhattisgarh High Court Allows Medical Termination Of 20+ Weeks Pregnancy Of Minor Rape Victim Suffering From 'Sickle Cell Anaemia'
Live LawThe Chhattisgarh High Court has recently allowed medical termination of over twenty-week-old foetus of a 17-year-old rape victim, who is suffering from sickle cell anaemia. Considering the fact that continuance of pregnancy has the potential to physically and psychologically affect the minor girl, the Single Bench of Justice Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi held – “In such circumstances, if the victim is permitted to undergo entire process of pregnancy and delivery, then it can lead to great physical, mental and psychological effect, not only on the victim, but also so far as the foetus is concerned.” Factual Background The minor victim-petitioner, who is aged about 17 years, was sexually exploited for which she conceived. When the case came up for hearing on 05.12.2024, the Court directed the Chief Medical and Health Officer, Balodabazar-Bhatapara to submit report with opinion regardng feasibility of medical termination of pregnancy of the petitioner. The medical report canvassed the fact that the petitioner is carrying a pregnancy of 20 weeks and 4 days and she is suffering from severe sickle cell anaemia.