Rape Victim Cannot Be Forced To Give Birth To The Child Of The Man Who Sexually Assaulted Her: Allahabad HC

Prayagraj, July 11 (TNA) The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday ruled that a rape victim cannot be forced to give birth to the child of the man who sexually assaulted her. The court gave these orders while hearing a writ petition filed by a 12-year-old rape victim seeking termination of her 25-week pregnancy

“In the case of sexual assault, denying a woman her right to medical termination of pregnancy and denying her the responsibility of motherhood would amount to denying her human right to live with dignity as she has a right in relation to her own body. Which includes saying yes or no to becoming a mother” the HC observed.

Considering the urgency of the matter and taking a humanitarian approach, the Allahabad High Court requested the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University to direct the Principal of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh to constitute a 5-member team headed by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Anesthesia Department and Radio Diagnosis Department will examine the petitioner and present their report before the Court on July 12, the next date of hearing.