A 16-year-old Dalit girl, who is over five-months pregnant after being allegedly raped by her father in Kanpur, was denied abortion by her doctor who said it could pose a risk to her life .

The girl was later shifted to a government shelter home for women in Kanpur after her 18-year-old elder brother expressed helplessness to bear her responsibility due to financial reason. The girl’s father was arrested and sent to jail on July 16, the same day the victim and her elder brother lodged a complaint with the Babupurwa police station, Station Officer Ramveer Singh said.

The girl’s mother had died two years ago and she has three brothers and a younger sister.

Investigating Officer of the case, Sub-Inspector Savita Sengar said the girl’s medical examination conducted on

July 20 revealed that she was 23 weeks and two days pregnant. Following the reports, the girl and her brother requested the police for termination of the pregnancy.

The police consulted with a doctor, who denied permission citing risk to her life, Sengar said.

The I-O said on Saturday, the girl’s brother approached the court stating that he was the only earning member of the family and would not be able to look after his pregnant sister.

“He requested to shift his sister to any government shelter home till her delivery. He, however, is ready to keep her after the delivery,” Sengar added.

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