Allahabad HC denies permission to 13-year-old rape survivor to terminate 32-week pregnancy

Prayagraj: Observing that carrying the pregnancy to full term is safer than terminating at this stage, the Allahabad High Court has refused to grant permission to a 13-year-old minor girl to undergo medical termination of a 32-week pregnancy in a sexual assault case. 

While hearing the petition, a division bench, comprising Justice Shekhar B. Saraf and Justice Manjeev Shukla stated that a 13-year-old child may not be able to make the right choice between medical termination of pregnancy and continuing the pregnancy full term. 

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In this case, the petitioner, a minor, a resident of Hapur was allegedly sexually assaulted by a close relative. She discovered that she was 28 weeks pregnant following a medical examination conducted after an FIR was lodged against the accused. Upon discovering the pregnancy, the petitioner approached the Allahabad High Court at approximately 32 weeks, seeking permission to terminate the pregnancy. The court, recognizing the complexity of the situation, directed the formation of a medical board to assess the risks associated with both continuing the pregnancy and its termination.