‘Focus on nursing homes to curb sex-selective abortion’

Challenging the mandatory installation of Silent Observer for curbing sex-selective abortions in Kolhapur district, the representative of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) in the petition in the Bombay high court (HC) on Tuesday stated that the device is ineffective.

Challenging the mandatory installation of Silent Observer for curbing sex-selective abortions in Kolhapur district, the representative of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) in the petition in the Bombay high court (HC) on Tuesday stated that the device is ineffective.

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Kolhapur district collector Laxmikant Deshmukh had issued a directive on March 10, 2010, allegedly making the installation of Silent Observer with every sonography or ultrasound machine mandatory across the district. The collector has, however, maintained that it was not mandatory but voluntary.

Arguing for the Maharashtra chapter of the association, general secretary Dr Jignesh Thakkar alleged that the device attached to ultrasound machines for tracking every sonography could easily be bypassed by radiologists. So, the administration should concentrate on nursing homes and hospitals where female fetuses are aborted.

Stating that sex-selective abortion is based on the result of sonography, the division bench of chief justice Mohit Shah and justice RP Sondurbaldota discarded the contention.

Dr Thakkar also stressed on the fact that data was being stored in Silent Observers without the consent of the patients, which amounted to infringement of their privacy. The judges adjourned the hearing saying they will examine the privacy aspect.