A 19-year-old girl who was five months pregnant, died following a botched abortion on Sunday. The incident came to light on Monday after the girl’s family approached the police.
According to Vanasthalipuram Police, Harika, an engineering student, was in a relationship with a distant relative S. Madhu. The duo approached Anusha Nursing Home to seek an abortion as it was a case of pregnancy out of wedlock. Abortion was attempted with a pill. On Sunday morning, the woman developed complications, including uncontrolled bleeding.
“The hospital tried to control the bleeding and substitute loss by infusing blood but the woman did not respond and became unconscious,” a police official said.
The hospital then shifted her to another hospital for emergency care late in the afternoon, where she was declared brought dead.
“We have arrested Madhu and arrested the doctor Girija Rani. They will be sent to judicial remand on Tuesday,” Vanasthalipuram Inspector S. Murali Krishna informed.
Abortion in India is legal only up to 20 weeks and under specific conditions. The police booked the accused under sections 312, 314 and 417 for causing death by miscarriage.