The HIV positive destitute woman who was raped on the streets of Patna and had become pregnant was awarded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh by the Supreme Court on Thursday (August 17). The apex court asked the Bihar government to give her the compensation. However, it stuck to its stand that no abortion could take place.

The 35-year-old woman had earlier approached the Supreme Court for termination of her 26-week-old fetus on the ground that it could contract HIV. The court had asked the AIIMS committee appointed by it to look into the pregnancy. The panel reported that it would be risky for both the mother and the fetus to undergo MTP at that stage. The Court had then asked AIIMS to chalk out a treatment plan so that the fetus did not get HIV. It also ruled that the mode of treatment decided by AIIMS would be followed by the Indira Gandhi Institute for Medical Sciences in Patna, where she was to be treated.

Earlier, the Patna High Court had turned down the plea of the woman for abortion.

—India Legal Bureau