In the latest update to the serial killer case in Kerala, accused killer Jolly reportedly confessed to police that she 'hated girls' and tried to kill her niece. It was also revealed to media in the state that she had two abortions.
The legality depends on whether she knew the fetuses were female before the abortion.
In India, prenatal gender reveals are illegal and doctors who reveal the gender of the baby are legally liable if found guilty.
The law came into force to battle a rise in female foeticide making abortion illegal if performed after a gender-determination test, such as an ultrasound. Abortion is legal in India within certain parameters, but is illegal if performed because of the gender of the unborn baby. If a person gets an abortion after knowing the sex of the foetus, they can be punished with a jail time from three or seven years depending on the stage of pregnancy (Section 312 IPC 1860). Ultrasounds are restricted to medical reasons - for example, to detect abnormalities if any are suspected ahead of birth, or if the woman is above 35 years of age.
Police reportedly are also investigating the clinics where the abortions were done to understand the reasons.
The police also found that Jolly's niece, daughter of Roy's sister Renji, had once been hospitalised after excess frothing in her mouth. Police suspect this to be a thwarted poisoning attempt by Jolly. Roy Thomas, Jolly's first husband, was found dead in 2011 and Jolly confessed to killing him, along with five others.
