Court denies 10-year-old rape victim's abortion plea

A district court in Chandigarh has denied a plea by a 10-year-old rape victim for abortion, after it was confirmed that she is 26-weeks pregnant.

The court has also ordered the girl to carry her foetus to term, ruling that her pregnancy too advanced to have an abortion.

The court of additional district and sessions judge Roonam R Joshi made the ruling on the basis of medical report submitted by the doctors of Gynecology Department of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, the Indian Express reported.

According to the Indian law known as Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, abortions beyond 20 weeks are not allowed unless if the fetus is not viable or if the mother’s life is at risk.

The case came to light when the girl complained of stomach aches. Doctors who examined her confirmed that the girl is six weeks pregnant.

The child claimed that her maternal uncle had raped her six to seven times, when he visited them.

The man is currently being held in police custody.