Chennaiites hail Supreme Court decision on rape victim's foetus abortion

Chennai: The city on Monday responded positively to the Supreme Court permission to a 26-year-old alleged rape victim to abort her 24-week old foetus, following a report from a seven-member medical board stating that the foetus has congenital abnormalities and mother’s life will be in danger if the pregnancy is continued.

Many women’s organisations and concerned individuals contacted by DC have termed it a step in the right direction ensuring justice to all those women facing similar fate.

Welcoming the court decision, Sudha Ramalingam, an advocate, said, “We do not know if this can be taken as a precedent. But, the decision has a humanitarian touch in it”.

Yasodhara Pradeep, professor, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow and chairperson, Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) said the court permission has saved the woman from further misery. But at the same time, she wonders why the woman has prolonged the pregnancy till 24th week. A woman’s rights activist Geetha Narayanan opined, “If she wants to abort the foetus when it is not medically problematic, (which I think the gynecologist has to decide), she has the right to do it, especially in this case.” “It is a very progressive verdict.

Motherhood should be of choice. I support this verdict”, Sandhya, a student of Gender Studies at Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, said.