Today, the Gujarat High Court allowed the plea to terminate the nearly 27-week pregnancy of a 12-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped by her father.

The single-headed bench of Justice Samir Dave studied the report submitted by the medical superintendent of Vadodara-based Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad Hospital. 

During the previous hearing on September 4, the Court directed a medical examination of the victim by a panel of doctors.

"The petition is allowed. Respondent number 3 is directed to terminate the pregnancy of the victim girl within a period of one week from today," the order said, noting the report has stated that the foetus was nearly 27 weeks old.

Further, the Court directed the state to pay compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh to the victim, out of which Rs 50,000 was to be paid immediately, and another Rs 2 lakh to be deposited in her name and interest accrued on fixed deposit paid to her until she turns 21.

The deposit amount should be paid to the victim when she turns 21, the high court said.

Additionally, the High Court instructed that once the trial concludes, the Trial Court should independently assess the compensation to be awarded to the victim in accordance with Section 357 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Furthermore, the High Court directed the hospital to ensure the preservation of the foetus's DNA as per the petitioner's request.

The girl's mother approaches the HC for permission to terminate her daughter's pregnancy, two days after the victim's father was arrested by Dediapada police in Narmada district for allegedly raping and impregnating her.

The petitioner's lawyer had sought an urgent hearing in the matter, saying the mother of the victim lodged an FIR on September 2