10-year-old rape victim in India granted an abortion despite 20-week law
A 10-year-old rape victim in India has been given permission to have an abortion, reports CNN.
According to the Hindustan Times, "Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, abortion is not allowed after 20 weeks except in cases where there is risk to the mother's life."
Dr. Ashok Chauhan told the BBC about her case, "She is around 20 weeks pregnant, but it could be 19 weeks or it could be 21 weeks. The technology is not so advanced that it can tell you exactly what week she's in."
A medical board agreed with the court's decision to allow the girl to have an abortion, citing the likelihood of "psychological trauma" should the pregnancy continue, notes the New York Times.
As such, doctors have been figuring out the best way to follow through with the termination.
The case only recently came to the attention of authorities; the pregnancy was reportedly confirmed last week when the girl's mother became suspicious and had her examined.
According to a New York Times report, "Investigators found that the girl's stepfather, a day laborer in his early 20s, had raped her repeatedly when her mother went to work on construction sites."
CNN notes that he has since been arrested and put behind bars.
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