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This is an archive article published on April 2, 2020

Doctor accused of illegal abortion leading to woman’s death gets bail for medical duty amid coronavirus

A single-judge bench of Justice Tanaji V Nalawade passed the order Monday while hearing the petition of Suraj Rana, an Aurangabad-based doctor, who stated that being a medical professional, he wanted to serve the needy during the coronavirus outbreak.

Voter ID card sufficient proof of citizenship, rules Mumbai court Justice Nalawade granted him temporary bail until April 30 on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 15,000. (Representational Image)

The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has granted temporary bail to a doctor, accused of causing death of a woman after performing an illegal abortion on her, and directed him to serve at a government hospital in Aurangabad amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A single-judge bench of Justice Tanaji V Nalawade passed the order Monday while hearing the petition of Suraj Rana, an Aurangabad-based doctor, who stated that being medical professional, he wanted to serve the needy during the coronavirus outbreak.

Justice Nalawade granted him temporary bail until April 30 on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 15,000. The bench also directed Rana to immediately approach the dean of Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad, and directed him to provide an undertaking to show his willingness to discharge services for a month as per the hospital’s directions.

The petitioner was arrested by Pundliknagar police in August last year for allegedly performing an illegal abortion despite complications, causing the death of the woman. He was booked under sections 314 (punishment for death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage), section 201 (punishment for causing disappearance of evidence) and section 203 (punishment for giving wrong information with respect to offence) among others.

The punishment prescribed for death caused due to illegal abortion with a woman’s consent is 10-year imprisonment and which one performed without a woman’s consent can lead to life imprisonment.

In January, the sessions court had rejected Rana’s bail plea following which the medical professional moved the high court.
Advocate K S Hoke-Patil, appearing for Aurangabad police, had opposed the bail plea and argued that though there was danger to the woman’s life, the doctor had performed illegal abortion on July 21, 2017, ultimately leading to the woman’s death. However, advocate S S Khivansara, appearing for Rana, said that being a medical professional with specialised expertise, his client wanted to serve the needy persons as per government directions and would provide medical assistance and help during COVID-19 outbreak.

Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions. Expertise & Authority Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage. Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in: Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include: Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes). Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty). Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict. Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability. Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges. Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More

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