Post-medical termination of pregnancy
Staff Reporter
Guwahati: Regarding financial assistance to the minor rape victim who had to undergo medical termination of pregnancy as per the court's orders, a compliance report by the District Child Protection Officer, Tinsukia, stated that the health insurance policy of the Child Protection Unit is providing a sponsorship fund of Rs.4,000 per month to the victim with effect from December 2024 and that such a fund will be provided until the completion of 21 years of her age.
The bench of Justice Kalyan Rai Surana and Justice Malasri Nandi was apprised of the facts during the hearing of a suo motu case (WP(C)(Suo Moto)/1/2024) on Friday.
Pursuant to two queries raised vide order dated February 5, 2025, Mr. D. Nath, Senior Govt. Advocate, placed a copy of written instruction dated February 20, 2025, received from the Additional District Commissioner (SW), Tinsukia, which, amongst others, contained a compliance report by the District Child Protection Officer, Tinsukia (DCPO for short), indicating as follows: (a) The health insurance policy of the Child Protection Unit is providing Sponsorship Fund @ Rs.4,000/- per month, i.e., Rs.48,000 per year, to the victim w.e.f. December, 2024, and such a fund will be provided until the completion of 21 years of her age. Moreover, a one-time insurance premium of Rs. 3,160/- in a year is included in the said Sponsorship Fund. It is further stated that if the victim and her family desire to renew the existing health insurance policy, she has to pay the premium amount by utilizing the same from the Sponsorship Fund; (b) The final check-up of the victim was done on January 30, 2025, at Assam Medical College as suggested by the Gynaecology Department of the Assam Medical College during the time of discharge after Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP for short). The ambulance was facilitated by the Joint Director of Health Services, Tinsukia, during the final check-up; (c) The Child Care Institution (CCI for short) was also instructed to produce the victim before the Mental Health Department, Tinsukia Civil Hospital for post-MTP counselling on January 31, 2025, as suggested by said Hospital; (d) The financial assistance given to the victim as per the instruction is in addition to the compensation that may be awarded under the victim compensation scheme, and the recommendation letter of the CWC was also annexed.
The court appreciated the efforts given in this matter by the District Commissioner, Tinsukia; Joint Director of Health Services, Tinsukia; Member Secretary, State Child Protection Society; District Child Protection Officer; and all doctors and persons associated with the Gynaecology Department of the Assam Medical College & Hospital and the Mental Health Department, Tinsukia Civil Hospital.
Upon a query of the Court, it was submitted that with the nature of assistance rendered to the victim, this suo motu writ petition can be closed. Accordingly, on satisfaction of all in the issue raised in this suo motu writ petition, this suo motu writ petition was closed by the court.
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