High Court grants permission for abortion of 16-year-old girl

KOCHI: The division bench of the Kerala High Court has granted permission for the abortion of a 27-week pregnancy of a 16-year-old rape survivor. The bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S Manu made the ruling on the appeal filed by the survivor's mother against the single bench order denying permission for abortion.

The girl was sexually abused by her boyfriend. The single bench examined the matter when the girl was 26 weeks pregnant. The girl's mother had pointed out issues such as the girl's mental distress in raising the child. No mental health expert was included in the initial medical board. The report stated that abortion may cause health problems to the girl and that abortion cannot be recommended as the fetus is not damaged.

When the appeal came up, the survivor was examined by a mental health expert as per the directions of the division bench. The division bench granted permission for the abortion on the assessment that the girl did not have the mental capacity to proceed with the pregnancy.