Maharashtra Appoints Special Prosecutors to Expedite PCPNDT Cases

In a significant move to strengthen the enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, the Maharashtra government has announced the appointment of two special public prosecutors in each district. This initiative was revealed by Dr. Neelam Gorhe, who leads the state task force focused on the implementation of the PCPNDT Act, during a press conference in Kolhapur. The primary objective of this measure is to expedite court trials and minimize procedural errors that often hinder legal proceedings in medical regulatory cases.

The enforcement of the PCPNDT Act has faced challenges due to procedural lapses that can weaken cases against illegal operators. To address this, the state health department, in collaboration with police authorities, will soon draft a joint Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This SOP will provide clear guidelines for conducting raids, preparing panchnamas, and seizing diagnostic equipment. Additionally, law enforcement officers and health inspectors will undergo practical training to ensure the preservation of the chain of custody during investigations.

The task force also plans to analyze past acquittals and successful convictions to identify common clerical mistakes and administrative oversights. This analysis aims to protect legitimate medical practitioners from unnecessary administrative harassment while ensuring robust legal documentation against unauthorized operators involved in illegal sex selection practices. The task force's efforts are particularly crucial in light of increasing concerns about the illegal transit of ultrasound equipment across state borders, particularly between Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa.

To combat these cross-border challenges, Dr. Gorhe emphasized the need for high-level coordination meetings between the states to establish intelligence-sharing networks. Joint enforcement teams will be formed to conduct coordinated operations targeting the movement of mobile diagnostic machines. Furthermore, municipal corporations, particularly the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC), have been urged to enhance local oversight, with a requirement to submit a detailed audit of ultrasound clinics within one month.

These new legal measures will have direct implications for registered medical professionals, including radiologists, sonologists, and gynecologists. Compliance with administrative requirements will be crucial, including maintaining updated Form F registers and displaying statutory signboards prohibiting prenatal sex determination. Proper documentation of ultrasound scans and retention of imaging records for the mandated period will be essential to prevent unnecessary scrutiny during inspections. By ensuring thorough compliance, ethical practitioners can contribute to the state's efforts to improve the child sex ratio while safeguarding their practices against administrative challenges.