Read Manusmriti: Gujarat HC to rape survivor on abortion plea

It was once normal for girls to marry at a young age and deliver a child before they turned 17, a judge of the Gujarat high court has remarked while hearing a minor rape survivor's plea for permission to terminate her pregnancy.

Her father moved the HC seeking permission for abortion as the pregnancy had crossed the 24-week threshold up to which abortion can be performed without a court's leave.

On Wednesday, his lawyer sought an early hearing, saying the family was concerned because of the girl's age.

In the end, the court directed the Medical Superintendent of Rajkot Civil Hospital to get the girl examined by a panel of doctors to find out if the medical termination of pregnancy was advisable.