Sex determination of foetus

JAIPUR: Three doctors in Jaipur were caught red-handed doing s*x determination of foetus on Saturday. The doctors were reportedly trapped by officials of state PCPNDT cell, who sent decoy customers to them at their respective clinics. The cell functions under directorate of medical and health services.

According to sources, the cell is empowered to take action against doctors resorting to s*x determination of foetus under Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994. The trap was laid with the support of two city-based NGOs, said sources.

Out of the three medical practitoners, two work at R P Memorial Hospital, Jawahar Nagar and the third doctor runs the Madhur Clinic and Nursing Home at Chandpole Bazaar.

According to officials, while radiologist Dr Vasant Kishore Vyas, who is also the secretary, Indian Radiology and Imaging Association (IRIA), conducted a s*x determination test on a decoy customer at the R P Memorial Hospital, gynecologist Dr Maya Sharma communicated the s*x of the foetus to the decoy and her attendant. They had charged Rs 3000 from the decoys, which was recovered. Later, Sharma confessed to revealing the s*x of the foetus to the investigating team of PNDT cell.

At the Chandople Bazaar clinic, Dr Madhurani Jain charged Rs 2000 for s*x determination test. The investigating teams seized the ultrasound machine and all related documents at both the places.

"We will produce them in the court and a strong case will be registered as they were caught red-handed," said Hardayal Singh, incharge, of the investigating team. The state health department will decide the fate of these doctors, who, as per procedure, will be suspended. Their practising licenses will also be cancelled