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Bilaspur. The High Court reopened at 6 pm to hear the petition of the pregnant rape victim. On the instructions of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha, the Registrar General constituted a special bench. As per the rules, a causelist was issued for urgent hearing of the case in the special bench.

The case was heard in the special bench from 6 pm. The rape victim pleaded for abortion of her 27-week pregnancy. The court listened to the victim’s physical and mental problems seriously and sought a report from the medical board. The case will be heard again today on Monday.

Request for hearing under urgent hearing

The sensitivity of the High Court keeps coming to the fore from time to time before the people of the state. A similar case came before the Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court Ramesh Sinha two days ago. The rape victim, through her advocate, requested for a hearing under urgent hearing.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Chief Justice issued directions to the Registrar General to constitute a special bench and make arrangements for hearing the case under urgent hearing. As soon as the cause list was issued, the special bench sat and the hearing began.

The advocate of the petitioner victim told the special bench that the victim has become pregnant after the rape incident. She is 27 weeks pregnant. A baby is growing in her womb. She wants to get rid of this unwanted pregnancy. On behalf of the victim, the advocate has sought permission to abort the unwanted pregnancy.

The medical board will investigate

Considering the demand of the rape victim and her physical and mental condition, the special bench has asked the medical board to examine the physical and mental condition of the victim and tell whether the victim will face any risk in case of abortion. The special bench has directed to submit a detailed report on Monday.

The report will decide whether abortion can be done or not

The special bench has fixed Monday as the date for hearing the case. The medical board will submit its report on the same day. A team of specialist doctors will also be present in the court with the report. The court’s questions will have to be answered. The court will give its verdict on the basis of the board’s report, consultation with specialist doctors and their opinion.

The High Court did not give permission to abort the pregnancy

A similar case from Rajnandgaon district came up in the Chhattisgarh High Court recently. In this, the rape victim was 28 weeks pregnant. The medical board did not advise abortion. The board had called it risky. After the board’s report, the High Court rejected the petition for abortion. The court wrote in its decision that foeticide is not legally acceptable nor morally acceptable.

The government will bear the cost of the victim’s delivery

The High Court has also made an arrangement for the victim to give birth to the child that the state government will bear the cost of delivery. Along with the victim, the parents have also been given the freedom that after the birth of the child, if they want, they can take action for adoption. For this, the necessary legal process will be completed by the district administration.