By IANS,
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court Tuesday ordered the setting up of a special committee of doctors to decide on terminating the pregnancy of a 19-year-old mentally challenged rape victim as she does not have a guardian.
Justice Surya Kant directed the Chandigarh administration to form a committee comprising senior doctors of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and an additional sessions judge, who will act as a member-cum-coordinator.
The committee will submit its report within 10 days of its constitution, the court said.
The rape of the mentally challenged inmate of the Nari Niketan, run by the administration of this union territory, came to light May 16. A male attendant of the institution allegedly raped the victim repeatedly. She is now more than three months pregnant.
Worried over the victim’s condition and absence of any guardian, the administration had filed a writ petition in the high court seeking permission for the abortion.