High Court Decision: No Abortion for Minor Rape Victim

The Kerala High Court denied a 16-year-old rape victim's plea for abortion, citing the absence of any anomaly in the foetus or harm to her mental health. The court allowed the possibility of adoption post-birth and criticized the Medical Board's report for lacking psychological expertise.

The Kerala High Court has rejected a plea for abortion submitted by a 16-year-old rape victim, attributing its decision to a medical report that did not demonstrate any foetal anomaly or evidence that proceeding with the pregnancy would be injurious to the girl's mental health.

Presiding over the case, Justice V G Arun allowed the family the option of placing the newborn up for adoption following delivery, should they choose, and instructed the state government to take appropriate legal measures to support this.

The court found fault with the Medical Board's recommendation for medical termination, noting that the board lacked expertise in psychology and mental health, thereby not providing substantial grounds for abortion.

(With inputs from agencies.)