HC allows 12 year-old girl to undergo abortion after rape

Chennai, Oct 23 (UNI) In a stunning development, the Madras High Court has given the nod for a 12 year-old girl to undergo abortion, having conceived after being kidnapped and raped by a 25-year-old man.

Justice K Mohan Ram gave permission for the abortion, allowing a writ petition filed by the father of the minor girl, who pleaded that the court must allow abortion as she was only 12 years old and could not beget a child.

The judge directed the petitioner Amanulla, hailing from Vaniaymbadi in Vellore district to approach Chief District Medical Officer, Superintendent of Police, Vellore and Inspector of Vaniyambadi Police station and get their assistance.

In his petition, Amanulla said on May 14, while his daughter went out to buy provisions, one Murugan, a neighbour, kidnapped her.

On a complaint, police arrested Murugan on September 24 in Bangalore and secured the girl. The medical examination of the girl, later showed that she had conceived and the embryo was 12 weeks old.

He further submitted that he had approached the local Government hospital for abortion. But the hospital authorities refused to carry out the abortion. When he approached the police, they also pleaded helplessness and suggested that he could seek legal remedy.

UNI XR/WS SK RK2048