Court Slams Police for Defying Minor Identity Protection

The Bombay High Court has openly criticized the police for forcing doctors to reveal the identities of minor girls seeking abortions, despite a clear directive from the Supreme Court against such a requirement.

Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale, on July 28, condemned the insistence as sheer harassment for both doctors and the young girls involved. According to existing rules, doctors must inform the police when minors seek abortions, yet disclosure of identities is not mandated.

In response to a petition from a Mumbai gynecologist, the High Court ruled that the gynecologist could proceed with the abortion without sharing the girl's identity, highlighting surprise that such court appeals were necessary. The court called for the Supreme Court ruling to be read out across police stations, ensuring it reaches the Director General of Police for enforcement.

(With inputs from agencies.)