M.P. HC allows termination of teen’s pregnancy, directs preservation of foetus

Madhya Pradesh High Court allows termination of pregnancy for kidnapped 14-year-old girl, directs DNA tests on foetus.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has allowed the termination of a 14-year-old girl’s pregnancy who was allegedly kidnapped and raped a few months ago in the State’s Singrauli district.

The court also directed the authorities to preserve the foetus for DNA tests.

In a recent order, Justice G.S. Ahluwalia said the “doctors, who will carry out the medical termination of pregnancy as well as the State government shall not be responsible and the medical termination of pregnancy shall be conducted only at the risk and cost of parents of the prosecutrix (girl)”.

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.

If the CMHO feels that the girl is required to be sent to any multispeciality hospital for better treatment, then he can refer her to the said hospital for undergoing the medical termination of pregnancy, the court said.

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 foetus 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 foetus”, it said.