HC says cops fail to inform rape victims about option of abortion

Mumbai: Allowing a 16-year-old rape survivor to terminate her pregnancy, the Bombay High Court on Friday once again said that police must inform the victims in such cases that they have the option of undergoing abortion.

A bench of justices Naresh Patil and GS Kulkarni granted permission to the girl to undergo an abortion, after a panel of doctors suggested that it would be safe for her.

The victim, who is 21 weeks pregnant, moved the court earlier this week after her request for the termination of pregnancy was rejected by two government hospitals.

Doctors at the government-run KEM hospital asked her to approach the high court, as an abortion beyond 20 weeks is illegal, except under certain circumstances.

The judges noted that the girl lost five to six days in running from one hospital to another.

"Often (rape) victims and their families do not know that they have the option of medically terminating a pregnancy up to 20 weeks. The state must tell police officers to not waste any time when they are dealing with such victims," the court said.