Nagpur Minor's Urgent Plea for Pregnancy Termination Reaches Bombay High Court
A deeply distressing case from Nagpur district has reached the judicial corridors, highlighting severe child protection failures. A 13-year-old Class 8 student, a survivor of repeated incestuous rape allegedly perpetrated by her 16-year-old biological brother in a Kalmeshwar village, is now 26 weeks pregnant and has sought medical termination of pregnancy (MTP).
Father Moves Court on Behalf of Traumatized Daughter
Exhausted by the ordeal and the systemic delays, the girl's father approached the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday, filing a petition on her behalf. The minor, enduring immense physical and psychological trauma, requires urgent medical and legal intervention.
Initially, the Kalmeshwar police admitted the survivor to the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College for preliminary treatment and pregnancy confirmation. However, in a significant development on Thursday, she was transferred to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Nagpur for specialized care.
Medical Board Constituted to Assess Feasibility and Risks
Acting on the court's directives, a specially-constituted multi-speciality medical board at GMCH has taken charge of the case. This board, comprising senior gynaecologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists, anaesthetists, and other experts, is conducting a thorough evaluation.
The board's critical mandate includes:
- Determining the current status and viability of the 26-week foetus.
- Assessing the minor's physical capacity to undergo a late-term MTP procedure.
- Evaluating potential medical complications and psychological impacts on the traumatized girl.
The medical board is set to submit its comprehensive report on the medical feasibility and associated risks of terminating the pregnancy to the High Court. An urgent hearing has been scheduled for Friday to review these findings.
Legal Action Against the Juvenile Accused
Meanwhile, the 16-year-old brother, classified as a juvenile in conflict with the law, has been lodged in a government shelter home in strict adherence to juvenile justice regulations. The Kalmeshwar police have registered a formal case against him under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
Child Welfare Authorities Monitor the Situation Closely
The Women and Child Development Department, in collaboration with District Child Protection Officer Mushtak Pathan, is actively monitoring all aspects of the minor survivor's welfare. Their focus remains on ensuring her safety, providing necessary support services, and facilitating a just legal process.
This harrowing incident underscores the urgent need for robust mechanisms to protect vulnerable children and expedite justice in cases of severe sexual violence, especially those involving minors within family settings.
