A single bench of Justice Ziyad Rahman of Kerala High Court allowed a 15-year-old girl to terminate 7-months pregnancy, who was impregnated by her brother.

The bench made the decision on the basis of report submitted by the medical board, constituted to examine the girl which says continuation of the over 32-week pregnancy was likely to cause grave injury to the social and mental health of the 15-year old victim.

The court said that various social and medical complications are likely to arise if the abortion was not allowed.

“Considering the fact that the child is born from his own sibling, various social and medical complications are likely to arise. In such circumstances, the permission as sought for by the petitioner to terminate the pregnancy is inevitable.

The bench said “Upon perusal of the medical report, it is evident that the child is physically and mentally fit for medical termination of pregnancy. It is also stated that continuation of pregnancy is likely to cause grave injury to the social and mental health of the child”.

Justice in its order “Therefore, it is ordered that, respondents 4 (District Medical Officer, Malappuram) and 5 (Superintendent, Government Medical College Hospital, Manjeri) are directed to take urgent steps to medically terminate the pregnancy of the minor daughter of the petitioner without any delay”.