SC 'concerned over 8-month-old's rape', wants baby shifted to AIIMS

The Supreme Court directed two AIIMS doctor to supervise the case, asked NALSA to accompany the doctors when they visit the baby

Expressing concern over the rape of an eight-month-old baby girl allegedly by her cousin in Delhi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that two AIIMS doctors visit the child in the hospital, where the victim is admitted and assess if she can be shifted to a premier medical facility.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra ordered that in case the infant could not be shifted, the doctors shall tender personal assistance to the baby.

The bench told the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) that it is "very much concerned" about the alleged rape of the infant and sought a report from the doctors by Thursday.

The court also asked a member of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to accompany the doctors when they visited the infant.

The court was hearing a plea filed by a practicing advocate of the court, who sought directions to the authorities to immediately shift the child to AIIMS and to ensure best possible medical facilities for her.

The 28-year-old cousin confessed to raping the baby on Sunday under the influence of alcohol.

The child's parents, residents of northwest Delhi's Netaji Subhash Place, used to go out for work and leave their daughter in the custody of their sister-in-law. Since it was a Sunday, their sister-in-law's son was at home, and when he saw that his mother was not around, the accused allegedly forced himself on the baby, the police have said.

When the child's mother, who works as a maid, returned home at around 12.30 p.m, she saw blood stains on her daughter's clothes and informed her husband.

The baby was rushed to a hospital where it was found that she had been sexually assaulted and subsequently the police were informed and a case was registered.

The baby had to undergo a surgery due to severe damage to her sensitive parts.