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Taking serious note of female foeticide cases in the State, the Maharashtra Government on Tuesday said it would seek the Centre’s opinion for slapping charge of homicide on those involved in such offences.
“The suggestion of applying Section 320 of IPC for forced abortions of female foetus would be sent to the Centre,” Health Minister, Mr Suresh Shetty, told the Legislative Assembly.
Replying to a debate on the calling attention notice on the issue of female foeticide, Mr Shetty, said only provisions of Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) and Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Acts are applicable to illegal sex determination and abortion of female foetus.
To this, NCP legislator Mr Jeetendra Avhad said people do not fear this law which is why the incidence of illegal abortion of female foetus is on rise in the State.
The member also wondered why family members were not arrested under the PCPNDT and MTP Acts.
The Minister clarified that action has been taken against four family members so far.
“We cannot book the pregnant woman under the law unless proved that she had gone for the illegal sex determination and abortion. The family members who force her to go for the tests will be booked,” Mr Shetty said.
He also brushed aside criticism from some legislators that the Government is going overboard in raiding and sealing sonography machines and medical shops selling abortion pills.
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