SC urges Centre to amend law for rape-survivor abortions beyond 20 weeks
SC urges Centre to amend law for rape-survivor abortions beyond 20 weeks
The Supreme Court calls for changing laws to let rape survivors terminate pregnancies beyond 20 weeks, stressing survivor autonomy and lifelong trauma.
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Thursday took strong exception to a curative petition by AIIMS seeking to overturn its order that allowed a 15-year-old girl to medically terminate her 30-week pregnancy. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said there should be no fixed time limit for pregnancy termination when rape is involved, stressing that the law must be organic and in sync with evolving times. This is a case of child rape, and the survivor will have lifelong scar and trauma if termination is not allowed. If the mother does not have permanent disability, then the termination should be carried out, the bench said. There are children for adoption, and there are deserted and trafficked children on the streets, but the focus must be on the survivor’s wellbeing and autonomy. The court urged AIIMS to counsel the parents of the survivor and emphasised that the decision has to be that of the person concerned.
