QRant: Who Will Raise Baby of Minor Rape Victim Denied Abortion?
A 14-year-old rape survivor in Bareilly is being forced to have her rapist’s child.
A 14-year-old rape victim in Bareilly is being forced to give birth to her rapist’s child.
Needless to say, she doesn’t actually want the child. Maybe because at 14, she’s a kid herself? And her family can’t afford to feed another mouth either.
But, you see, the doctors have rejected her request for medical termination as the law puts the cap on abortion at 20 weeks. The victim is now 33 weeks pregnant. Seems legit?
Well, technically, the girl’s family went to the lower court for an abortion on 26 July. Back then, she was only around 24 weeks pregnant.
On 4 August, they approached a fast track court with the petition and the court then declined permission, over a week later.
After that, it was the Allahabad High Court’s turn to let the victim down. She was asked to meet the chief medical officer who didn’t really help. And nearly two months later, on 12 September, a panel of doctors declared her unfit for an abortion.
And sure, she was 24 weeks along but the court has made exceptions in the past. Only last year the Supreme Court allowed a 14-year-old rape victim in Gujarat to terminate her pregnancy at 24 weeks.
The High Court also could have taken suo motu cognisance. I mean, were they waiting for her pregnancy to advance?
Also, the family of the rape accused, who repeatedly raped the victim on the pretext of marriage, but left her once she became pregnant, now say they will accept the victim as their “bahu”, if the paternity of the child can be confirmed! Oh, how very kind!
The girl and her family are obviously helpless and devastated. Her mother says those who delayed her termination should keep the baby. So, tell us, if a 14-year-old is fit to deliver a baby, is the judiciary fit to raise one?
Video Editor: Sunil Goswami
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)