On Friday, a sessions court in Wardha rejected the bail applications of doctors Niraj and Rekha Kadam and two nurses Sangita Kale and Puja Dahat, who were booked after a complaint was received from the minor’s parents. The two doctors were accused of carrying out an abortion on a 13-year-old rape victim, who was five months pregnant at Kadam Hospital. The two were booked for helping with the termination of pregnancy of the 13-year-old.

The police have filed a separate FIR under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to criminal breach of trust and relevant sections of the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and Environment Protection Act. This investigation also led to the recovery of 54 bones and 12 skulls from the Kadam Hospital premises.

The police had opposed bail to the accused stating that the investigation was still in progress and statements from the witness were still awaited. For the nurses, the police said that they did not have the requisite medical certificates to practice.

The court said that in January the nurses were on duty on the day of the incident and the life of the victim was at risk as the minor had been given tablets for termination of her pregnancy. The court further added the charges of non-reporting of an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, disappearance and disposal of evidence by disposing of the fetus was a serious offence.

Source: The Indian Express