Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the Dean, Chengalpet Medical College Hospital, Kancheepuram district to terminate the pregnancy of a 14-year-old girl child.
“In view of the above, this court directs the Dean, Chengalpet Medical College Hospital, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram district, to do the needful by terminating the single intra uterine pregnancy of about 18 weeks gestational age”, said Justice T.Raja while allowing a petition from Child Welfare Committee. The judge said the Child Welfare Committee has brought this petition to direct the authorities to medically terminate the pregnancy of a minor girl, aged 14 years, at the earliest point of time.
Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the minor girl, was produced before the petitioner by the Kancheepuram district collector on April 4, 2018. On production of the minor girl, the petitioner admitted her in the Christ Faith Home for Children at Mettu Colony, Manapakkam, Chennai. At the time of production, a report of the doctor informing that the minor girl was raped by a known person five months ago had been submitted. Immediately, thereafter, the girl was taken to Chengalpet Medical College Hospital on March 23, 2018, a teenage pregnancy by VHN AR entry was made.
A case was registered on April 4. Again, the petitioner sent a letter on April 12 to the HOD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chengalpet Medial College and Hospital, seeking medical advice regarding continuation of pregnancy of the minor girl. After examination of the girl, it was found that the girl was pregnant with single intra uterine pregnancy of around 18 weeks gestational age.
Adolescent pregnancies were prone for higher risk of complications. The child and her mother have been given counselling to give consent for termination of pregnancy. Moreover, the petitioner also suggested for termination of pregnancy for securing the girl's health and life. As action needs to be done immediately, petitioner has approached this court, the counsel added.
The judge said the court had entertained the petition on April 25 and directed the Additional government pleader to take instructions from the HoD of O and G, Chengalpattu Medical College and Hospital. Accordingly, Dr.V.Vanitha, HOD was present and suggested that the girl was having single intra uterine pregnancy of about 18 weeks gestational age and it was advisable to get the pregnancy terminated at the earliest point of time.
“Today (April 28) the minor girl and her mother are present before this court. When this court has informed them about the doctor’s suggestion, they have also agreed for termination of pregnancy”, the judge added.
The judge said counsel for the petitioner submitted that while subjecting the girl for termination of 18 weeks gestational age single intra uterine pregnancy, the foetus shall be preserved for the purpose of taking DNA and other tests. Dr V.Vanitha agreed to the same and submitted that the foetus to be taken from the womb of the minor girl will be sent for analysis and thereafter, it will be preserved, the judge added and gave the directive.
