SC fixes Feb 15 to hear writ on gender identification kits

New Delhi, Jan 29 (UNI) The Supreme Court will hear on February 15 an application seeking directions to the Centre for blocking access to gender identification kits available on websites in India from abroad.

The application filed by Voluntary Health Association of Punjab was mentioned today before a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, who decided to hear the application along with the main matter scheduled to come up hearing on February 15.

According to the applicant, the gender identification kits violate pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques (prohibition on sex selection) Act, 1994, which prohibits any termination after identifying the sex of the foetus and that the application is a step to check female foeticide.

The applicant has also prayed to the Court to pass an order directing all courier agencies to refuse to deliver any such gender identification kits to India.

UNI AKS/SC AKJ RP DS1540