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Rape Survivor's C-Section Sparks Court Inquiry
24 Oct
Summary
- Medical termination was surgically performed instead of induction.
- Court sought clarification on consent before the surgery.
- An inquiry report found no negligence by the doctors.
In Prayagraj, a 13-year-old rape survivor's case is being reviewed by the Allahabad High Court. A court order for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) was followed by a C-section surgery on September 23. Doctors explained that surgical termination was chosen due to medical infeasibility of induction, prioritizing the patient's safety. The infant born via C-section was transferred to a children's hospital due to complications and died the following day.
The survivor, who had crossed the 24-week limit for MTP, had approached the court seeking termination due to concerns for her mental health. The High Court had previously directed the chief medical superintendent of SRN Hospital to proceed with the MTP. However, the court later observed that a C-section was performed instead of the ordered procedure.
An inquiry report submitted to the court reportedly found no negligence by the doctors involved, concluding that appropriate care was given. Despite this, the court expressed concern regarding the absence of a formal consent form signed by the patient's guardian before the surgery. The court has directed the state to clarify this consent issue and scheduled further hearings.
