Latest news with #ProtectionofChildren)Act
Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Teen abandoned by parents, ‘raped' by cousin, moves Delhi HC to terminate 28-week pregnancy
On August 14, a minor rape survivor, through her aunt, moved the Delhi High Court seeking termination of her over 28-week pregnancy. The case presented a unique situation, as the aunt — her legal guardian — is also the mother of the rape accused. In its order issued Monday, the court noted that the child has been abandoned by both parents, and the only guardian she wants to stay with is the mother of the accused. It sought a report from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in response to the petition, observing that the child will be 'in need of care and protection' as defined under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. A medical examination conducted at AIIMS, New Delhi, had revealed that the pregnancy had progressed to over 29 weeks and involved a viable foetus in breech position, indicating a possible need for a pre-term caesarean section. Citing the high-risk nature of the pregnancy, AIIMS informed Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma that both the survivor and her guardian had consented on Monday to continue with the pregnancy. Given the peculiar circumstances — where the minor's parents are absent and her only guardian is the rape accused's mother — the court had inquired from AIIMS New Delhi if she could be housed in the hospital until her delivery and even few weeks after. The hospital, had instead, recommended that she be kept at a women's shelter home. Dr. Vidushi Kulshreshtha, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and a member of the Medical Board that advised against the termination, appeared virtually before the court and informed that the minor had previously expressed discomfort with staying at the hospital. She further noted that with only 33 beds available in the department, admitting the minor long-term would deprive other patients of necessary care. Dr Kulshreshtha recommended that the minor could instead be housed at a facility run by the CWC. In its order on Monday, the court recorded: 'In these circumstances… (of) the child, being abandoned by both parents and the mother of the accused being the only guardian with whom the victim wants to reside… this court, by way of abundant caution, deems it appropriate to hold that the child will be in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. The CWC is directed to independently interact with the child, obtain her opinion, and inform this court… before passing a final order.' The court further directed that once the minor is discharged from AIIMS and shifted to the CWC-administered shelter home, 'instead of being produced before the CWC, the members of the Committee shall meet her at Nirmal Chhaya and prepare a report regarding her willingness to continue with the pregnancy.' The court has now posted the matter next for August 20, when the CWC is expected to submit its report.
New Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Activist urges scholarship for child marriage survivor in Karnataka
BENGALURU: Child-rights activist Nagasimha G Rao has written to Home Minister, urging the State Government to honour a minor girl from Reddihalli Gollarahatti in Challakere taluk, Chitradurga district, who resisted child marriage. Rao requested the government to formally acknowledge her bravery and provide financial aid or scholarships to support her future. In his letter on Monday, Rao demanded immediate legal action against those involved in organising the marriage, recognition of the girl as a child in need of care and protection, and long-term support for her education, mental health and rehabilitation. Rao urged the state to treat her as a 'child in need of care and protection' under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and provide counselling, rehabilitation, and social reintegration support through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and District Child Protection Unit. In addition to that, the activist called for awareness campaigns in rural areas, schools, and gram panchayats about the consequences of child marriage. He recommended that helpline numbers like 1098 be prominently displayed in public spaces and that Child Marriage Prohibition Officers be appointed and monitored across districts.
