Don't Disclose Identity Of Minor In Termination Of Pregnancy: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed a minor girl to approach the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital to terminate her pregnancy. The Delhi HC directed that the registered medical practitioner not disclose the 14-year-old girl’s identity.

Justice Prathiba Singh said the girl was 11 weeks pregnant and was free to approach the LNJP Hospital. It directed that the report be filed without disclosing the minor girl’s identity, the identity of her family, or contact details. The court also observed that the girl’s pregnancy was within the prescribed period under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.

Conceal Minor's Identity In Abortion

The court was hearing the plea filed by the minor girl through her mother, seeking that she be allowed to terminate her pregnancy without her identity being disclosed. The court also ordered that the Station House Officer (SHO) not reveal the identity of the girl.

The 14-year-old girl’s counsel submitted the petition, stating that the pregnancy arose from a consensual relationship and that she wished to terminate it. He stated that no registered medical practitioner was willing to undertake the termination because the girl wanted to mask her identity.

The HC directed the Delhi government to issue a circular in January stating that the identity of the minor girl seeking termination of pregnancy and the details of her family shall not be disclosed in the report by the medical practitioner or the police.

The mother has moved the plea to the court seeking the termination of her minor daughter’s pregnancy without reporting the matter to the local police as required under the POCSO Act as they were concerned about social stigma, harassment, and ostracisation.

The plea claimed that the young girl didn’t want to continue the pregnancy as she was not physically or mentally prepared to give birth and raise the child. The HC has directed that her pregnancy be terminated at AIIMS in January.

Suggested Reading: Delhi HC Allows Minor To Terminate Pregnancy After Father Fail To Sign Consent Form