Guwahati Nursing Home Accused of Performing Illegal Abortion on 16-Year-Old

A shocking case of illegal abortion involving a 16-year-old girl has surfaced in Guwahati, prompting serious legal action and demands for investigation into violations of child protection and medical laws. The abortion was allegedly carried out at East-End Nursing Home & Research Institute in Bamunimaidam, without informing authorities or following mandatory procedures under Indian law.

The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by a community social worker from the Assam Centre for Rural Development. The complaint, submitted to the Officer-in-Charge of Satgaon Police Station, alleges that the medical termination of pregnancy was conducted in violation of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

According to the complaint, the victim—identified as Ankita (name changed), aged 16—underwent the abortion at the East-End Nursing Home with the active support of her parents and those of the accused. The procedure was allegedly carried out without any legal reporting to the police, Child Welfare Committee (CWC), or other statutory bodies, as is mandatory in cases involving minors.

"The girl’s age and the circumstances clearly fall under the ambit of the POCSO Act. The hospital authorities and the families have not just broken the law—they’ve also risked the life and rights of the child,” the social worker stated in the complaint. The complainant has urged the police to register an FIR against all involved, including the hospital staff and the victim’s family, and to initiate a thorough investigation.

In a separate complaint, support person Rita Barman, associated with the Access to Justice programme, also brought the case to the attention of the police following a field visit to the area under Amsing Primary Health Centre. She reported that the minor girl was found to be in a live-in relationship with an 18-year-old boy, Sujal Pantati, and was approximately five months pregnant at the time of the visit.

The information was first shared by Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) Hiru Medhi, who alerted the support team about a suspected case of child marriage. Upon visiting the boy's residence along with ANM and an ASHA worker, Rita Barman confirmed that although no formal marriage had taken place, the minor girl had been staying with the boy for a long time. The families, however, were reportedly unwilling to approach the police or cooperate with authorities.

“Despite being informed of the legal consequences, the guardians of both the boy and the girl showed reluctance in reporting the matter. The situation clearly involves statutory offences, and we felt compelled to escalate it to the police and the Child Welfare Committee,” Barman stated in her letter.

Legal experts note that any sexual relationship involving a minor is considered statutory rape under the POCSO Act, regardless of consent. Moreover, the abortion of a minor without due legal process, especially when it involves potential sexual abuse, constitutes a grave offence.

The complaints have called for immediate registration of an FIR, an investigation into the role of the nursing home, and legal action against all responsible parties.

As of filing this report, the Satgaon Police are yet to issue an official statement, though sources confirm that preliminary inquiries have begun. The Child Welfare Committee has also been alerted and is expected to intervene.

This case has sparked outrage among child rights activists and healthcare watchdogs, who have demanded accountability from both the medical establishment and the families involved.

More updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.

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