Delhi High Court Issues Guidelines to Fast-Track Medical Aid for Pregnant Rape Survivors

The Delhi High Court, under Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, has issued comprehensive guidelines to ensure immediate medical care for rape or sexual assault victims who are pregnant.

The court emphasized that hospitals must not delay ultrasounds or diagnostic tests due to the absence of identification documents if the victim is brought by police or on court orders.

In cases where the pregnancy exceeds 24 weeks, a medical board must be constituted without awaiting a court directive.  Additionally, the foetus should be preserved for potential DNA testing.

These directives follow a case where a 17-year-old rape survivor faced a 13-day delay at AIIMS due to lack of ID, which the court found troubling & ordered widespread circulation of the ruling.