Doctor performs abortion without girl's consent

A gynecologist in New Delhi, India has found herself on trial for performing an abortion on an unmarried date-rape victim without her written consent, at the urging of the victim's boyfriend, whom she later accused of sexual assault. Dr. Nisha Jain is being accused of violating the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, for terminating the pregnancy of the alleged victim on September 30, 2008. Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau said "It is desirable that efforts are made to increase the overall awareness of the existing abortion laws and policies of the government so as to come down heavily on the doctors running abortion clinics in utter disregard of the existing laws."

In its order, the court indicated that the victim's signature was not on the consent form for termination of pregnancy. The judge noted that Dr. Jain's non-consensual termination constitutes destruction of evidence punishable under the Indian Penal Code. The court also said that obtaining the consent of women in such cases was necessary as their lives were at risk as well. The victim registered a complaint with the police alleging that she was raped over a period of time by the accused, Pankaj Mittal, who also apparently blackmailed her with intimate photos taken on his camera phone. She also accused Mittal of terminating her pregnancy without her consent. Sounds like some people need to be locked up.