19-year-old rape victim's pregnancy; HC seeks govt's response

Ranchi: In a petition filed by a rape victim in Jharkand seeking an abortion, the High Court sought the state government's response. The 19-year-old survivor is 28 weeks pregnant and visually challenged, IANS reported.

On September 9, the court directed Ranchi's Medical College RIMS to form a medical board for this and submit a report. Following that, the RIMS board submitted before the court that a safe termination is not possible.

It was after that the court directed the state government to discuss with RIMS and the survivor's advocates to tell them what could be done on the matter. The court will hear the matter again on Wednesday.

Court also directed arrangements for the girl to be housed at a women's shelter in Ramgarh.

The girl is of tribal community origin and a resident of Nagdi in Ranchi. Her rickshaw driver's father was away at work, her mother had already died, and she was alone at home when a person assaulted her sexually. She was sexually assaulted in 2018 as well, and a case is going on in a lower court.

From a below-the-poverty-line family, she has no money for treatment and decided to file a case in court for abortion as well as proper living arrangements.

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