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Court Probes C-Section on Rape Survivor
25 Sep
Summary
- Court orders inquiry into C-section on a 13-year-old rape survivor.
- Doctors allegedly performed C-section despite court permitting MTP.
- Pregnancy was past the 24-week statutory limit for termination.
The Allahabad High Court has initiated an inquiry into the performance of a Caesarean section on a 13-year-old rape survivor. This action was taken despite the court's prior order permitting medical termination of her pregnancy (MTP).
A division bench observed that the medical professionals appeared prima facie guilty of deliberate negligence. The court directed the principal secretary of medical and health in Uttar Pradesh to conduct this inquiry.
The investigation is mandated to examine the doctors, the minor victim, her mother, and the investigating officer. A report is to be submitted within two weeks.
The case involves a pregnancy that exceeded the 24-week limit set by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. The medical board had noted the fetus's gestational age at approximately 29 weeks and two days.
The court's order on September 21 permitted medical termination, considering the victim's age, circumstances, and condition. However, a C-section was performed instead of the directed MTP.
Dr. Aiman Abbasi, who conducted the surgery, could not clarify who authorized the C-section. The court emphasized the distinction between MTP and a C-section, a major abdominal surgery.
The court seeks to identify responsibility for the non-compliance with its order and understand why its directive was not followed. The next hearing is scheduled for October 12.
