A court in Chandigarh has refused to let a 10-year-old survivor undergo an abortion after it was confirmed that she was 26 weeks pregnant. This is because under the current law termination of pregnancy is allowed only in case where the foetus is up to 20-week-old.
According to the petition filed by the victim's family, the 10-year-old became pregnant after she was sexually abused repeatedly by her maternal uncle.

The court's verdict has however left many medical experts dumbfounded. Doctors pointed out that considering her tender age, the 10-year-old could be facing life risk if she is pregnant.
Doctors insist the pelvic bones are not fully developed in girls at this age and, therefore, tolerating a full-term pregnancy is very risky. While normal delivery is ruled out, even a Caesarean section at that age is dangerous.
"I have not seen a 10-year-old girl pregnant ever before," said Rashmi Bagga, department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.

Experts add that they are increasingly coming across cases of menarche (first occurrence of menstruation) setting in as early as eight years when the normal age is 13 years. Despite this, pregnancy at 10 years is extremely rare.
"The victim is six months pregnant, as revealed by her ultrasound reports. We have submitted our medical advice to the court regarding termination of the foetus," said an official from Government Medical College and Hospital where the girl was examined.
"In almost 40 years of practice, I have never come across such a case. I had seen a 13-year-old girl pregnant. If legal permission is granted treating it as an exceptional case, it's better to terminate the pregnancy as there can be complications," said Dr Umesh Jindal, a well-known gynaecologist and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.