MP High Court permits termination of 14-year-old rape survivor's pregnancy, orders preservation of foetus

The court said the girl's parents can take her daughter to the Chief Medical Health Officer (CMHO) of the District Hospital in Singrauli for the procedure.

Referring to a report of the District Medical Board, Singrauli, the court said in its order, "Pregnancy at any gestational age can be terminated by a registered medical practitioner if the fetus has substantial abnormalities and termination of pregnancy is approved by the medical board."

Directing preservation of the foetus, the court said it be immediately handed over to the investigating agency. "The investigating officer is directed to send the foetus to "DNA Fingerprint Laboratory within two days from the date of seizure of the said fetus", it said, news agency PTI reported.

According to local police sources, the teenager had gone missing earlier this year and a kidnapping case was registered at Morwa police station in the district.

After she was traced more than a month later, the minor was sent for a medical test which showed that she was pregnant. The police subsequently upgraded the FIR with rape charges under the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Her father then moved the court for termination of pregnancy.