On Thursday, Kerala high court allowed the termination of the pregnancy of a 10-year-old girl who got impregnated by her own father. The heinous crime of the father created huge outrage among the public. The Bench of Justice PV Kunhikrishnan acted upon a petition moved by the mother of the minor, a native of Kollam district.

The court said that if the newborn was alive as the pregnancy was around 31 weeks, the hospital concerned would have to ensure best medical treatment for the baby to develop into a healthy child. The state government and the child welfare committee were directed to take full responsibility of the child, if the parents were not willing to assume responsibility for the baby.

Hailing from Kollam district the girl’s mother approached the court for permission under the medical termination of Pregnancy act, 1971. While issuing the order, Justice Kunhikrishnan said that he is keeping the Almighty in mind.

“The alleged culprit is her own father. If the allegation is correct, I am ashamed of and of course, the entire society should bow it’s head for the same reason. I am sure that the long arm of our legal system will punish him in a manner known to law” The justice said.

“Since the victim is only 10 years old, there is a chance for medical complications for her health. Considering the entire facts and circumstances of the case, according to me, this is a case in which this court should invoke the jurisdiction keeping in the Almighty” he added.

The medical Board, in it’s report said that the girl would require operative delivery which has anaesthesia related and surgical risks. “At 30 weeks, 6 days there is 80 percent chance of the baby surviving. There is risk of neonatal morbidities and need for NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) care and also adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for the newborn baby”, said the report, adding that the doctors were legally and medically bound to resuscitate and give care to the newborn at 30 weeks 6 days.