Pregnant rape victim moves court, seeks financial aid

The Delhi High Court on Thursday provided some relief to a 19-year-old rape victim who was in the ninth month of her pregnancy and did not have money to meet the medical expenses in any hospital.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday provided some relief to a 19-year-old rape victim who was in the ninth month of her pregnancy and did not have money to meet the medical expenses in any hospital.

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Abandoned by her family because of ‘social stigma’ and also as they could not incur the medical expense, she lived with a distant relative. Her father is a labourer.

Following the intervention by the court, the Delhi government agreed to shift her to a state-run shelter for pregnant and lactating women at Sarai Rohilla and assured that she will be provided help in delivering the child free of cost. She has also been assured free post-delivery care.

“All necessary facilities will be provided to the girl and she would not have to bear any expenses involved in delivering the child,” the government’s lawyer Ruchi Sindhwani told the court.

The victim had moved the court on June 2 through her lawyer Nishit Kush.

“It is directed that the investigating officer shall immediately transfer the girl to the shelter home at Sarai Rohilla,” the judge said after the government’s assurance.

The girl was raped in October 2012, allegedly by her neighbour, who had threatened to kill her brother if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

The lawyer said she lodged a complaint with the police on March 4, but the accused is yet to be arrested.

He said she had earlier moved the court to terminate her pregnancy but was advised by the doctors against it as the foetus was already 20 weeks old.