Supreme Court Criticizes AIIMS for Challenging Rape Survivor's Abortion Order
Court Urges Law Amendment to Remove Time Limits for Rape Victims Seeking Abortions
En resumen
The Supreme Court strongly criticized AIIMS for challenging an order allowing a 15-year-old rape survivor to terminate her 30-week pregnancy, urging the government to amend laws to remove time limits for rape victims seeking abortions.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
The Supreme Court is hearing a case involving a 15-year-old rape survivor seeking to terminate her 30-week pregnancy. AIIMS has challenged a previous court order allowing the termination.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday took strong exception to a plea by AIIMS seeking to set aside its order allowing a 15-year-old girl to medically terminate her 30-week pregnancy, and asked the Centre to consider amending the law to permit rape survivors to terminate unwanted pregnancies even beyond 20 weeks.
The top court said when there is pregnancy due to rape, there should not be a time limit.
Law needs to be organic and in sync with evolving time, it stressed.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said this is a case of child rape and the survivor will have a lifelong scar and trauma if termination is not allowed.
The top court said if the mother does not have permanent disability then it should be carried out.
It asked AIIMS to counsel parents of the survivor over the issue and said the decision has to be of the person concerned.
"There are children for adoption. In this country we have lot of sympathies...There are deserted, abandoned children on the streets and even mafias on it. We have to look at them. This is an unwanted pregnancy of a 15-year-old child.
"This is a curative petition. Unwanted pregnancy cannot be thrusted on a person. Imagine she is a child. She should be studying now. But we want to make her a mother. Imagine the pain, the humiliation the child has suffered in this," the bench said.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for AIIMS, mentioned the curative plea, and said the termination of pregnancy is not possible.
"It will be a live baby with severe deformities. Minor mother will have lifelong health issues and cannot reproduce. Minor mother will have lifelong health issues. This child can be given for adoption. It has been 30 weeks now. It is a viable life now," she said.
The top court said the decision on termination has to choice of the survivor and her parents and AIIMS may help them take an informed decision.
On April 24, a bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan had allowed the girl to medically terminate her pregnancy of 30 weeks.
Qué observar
Perspectiva de IA — posibilidades, no hechos
The government will initiate a review of existing abortion laws concerning rape survivors.
Muy probable · En meses
AIIMS will eventually comply with the Supreme Court's directive, possibly after further legal clarification or direct order.
Probable · En días
The case will lead to increased public debate and advocacy regarding reproductive rights for victims of sexual assault.
Muy probable · En semanas
Preguntas abiertas
- What are the specific health risks to the mother and fetus?
- What is the government's timeline for considering the law amendment?
- What are the legal implications if AIIMS continues to refuse the procedure?
- What is the current status of the survivor and her parents' decision?
