A local court has sentenced a man to one year in jail for selling and marketing sex selection kits online.
Judicial Magistrate Varsha Jain convicted Sanjay Khatana and sentenced him under the Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Test Act (PC & PNDT) along with a fine of Rs 5000.
Notably, Haryana is infamous for its skewed sex ratio.
The Haryana government release today claimed that this is the first case under the provisions of PC & PNDT Act filed and to be decided in the country.
"It is expected to go long way in curbing the menace of discrimination against women and those involved in exploiting the public..," it said.
On September 2, 2014, an FIR was lodged under various Sections of PC & PNDT Act in city Police Station, Gurgaon against the accused.
"The entire episode started when, Dr Pushpa Bishnoi- District Appropriate Authority cum Civil Surgeon, Gurgaon- constituted a team to take action against the culprits," it said.
"The joint team of officials of Food and Drug Administration, Gurgaon, National Health Mission and Health Department followed up the matter and arranged a trap by engaging a decoy customer to purchase this kit. The accused Sanjay Khatana was caught red handed and was arrested," it said.
Subsequently, a raid was conducted at the office premises of the accused at Lawrence Road, Delhi, the release said.
"The follow up investigation revealed that the online drug kit contained Lady-Q (mini Microscope), Digital thermometer, I-sure (Ovulation Strips), Ovulation LH Test Strips, Pregnancy HCG Test, tablets along with the Booklet Boy Guide. There were reportedly false claims published in these booklets regarding assured conception of baby boy, which amounts to contravention of the PC & PNDT Act," it said.
