Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 23 : High Court has sought response from the Government to the plea seeking formulation of a policy for termination of unwanted pregnancy in rape victims.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar after hearing the counsel Altaf Lone for the victim sought response from Commissioner cum Secretary Health and Medical Education Department for devising of policy with regard to handling and dealing with minor rape victim to decide about termination of unwarranted pregnancy.
The court also issued notice to Director Health Services, Kashmir, Chief Medical Officer, Ganderbal, Chairman, Juvenile Justice Board, Ganderbal and Chairman, Child Welfare Committee, Ganderbal for filing of their response.
Advocate Lone is seeking direction upon the authorities for completing the procedural formalities forthwith and terminate the pregnancy of the rape victim with promptitude and without any further delay. He also prays that authorities be directed be directed to device a policy for handling and dealing such cases without any delay and notify the practitioner in each District hospital of union territory of J&K so as to avoid unnecessary delay.
Advocate Lone in the petition projected before the court that a minor girl was subjected to rape by the accused and the matter, however came to light only when the pregnancy of the victim was detected on medical examination.
Since the pregnancy of the minor is unwanted and therefore, Child Welfare Committee, Gander referred the case to Chief Medical Officer Ganderbal for doing the needful.
It was projected before the court that despite the matter having been referred to the CMO, the minor girl has not been medically examined and no decision with regard to the medical examination of her pregnancy has been taken.
Court directed for examination of the minor by board of doctors as constituted with immediate effect in order to take the decision of termination of her pregnancy.
Follow our WhatsApp channel