The court was hearing a habeas corpus plea filed by the boy’s elder brother, who alleged that his family was being harassed by the police. The girl told the court during a hearing on March 22 that she was pregnant and wanted an abortion. Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, it is legal in India to abort a pregnancy till 20 weeks. “We direct the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi to immediately constitute a Medical Board to determine the stage of pregnancy,” the court said. “The MS will ascertain her willingness to have the pregnancy terminated and most importantly whether, in terms of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, it is safe for her and advisable medically for her pregnancy to be terminated,” it added.

Source: Hindustan Times March 28, 2018 18:11 UTC