In Brief
A radiologist challenged proceedings against him for record-keeping violations under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994. He argued that blanks and errors in Form F—the mandatory record-keeping document—were mere clerical mistakes lacking criminal intent. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and upheld the prosecution. The Court held that complete Form F records are essential to prevent female foeticide and protect girls' right to life. Any deficiency in records shifts the burden to the doctor to prove no sex-selection occurred. Technical errors cannot be dismissed as harmless; they must be examined at trial. Strict compliance is mandatory, and diluting these provisions would defeat the Act's purpose.
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