Posted By :  Admin1

Two doctors from Hisar, Dr. Mahender Kamboj and Dr. Renu Kamboj, have been acquitted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court nearly two decades after being charged under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. The case, initiated in December 2006, accused them of failing to maintain proper patient records at their clinic, M/s Kamboj Ultrasound and Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd. Following a raid prompted by media reports, their clinic's license was suspended, and both doctors were convicted in 2008, receiving two and three-year jail terms respectively. 

The High Court's decision hinged on procedural errors during the filing of the complaint. Justice JS Bedi noted that the complaint was lodged by a single civil surgeon rather than a mandated three-member committee, rendering the proceedings invalid. Despite the state's argument that the requirement for a three-member committee was clarified only in 2014, the court ruled that legal interpretations apply retrospectively, leading to the doctors' acquittal.

This case underscores the importance of adhering to procedural protocols in legal proceedings, especially under specialized laws like the PCPNDT Act. While the act aims to prevent gender-based prenatal discrimination, ensuring due process is crucial to uphold justice and prevent misuse.