Supreme Court holds that police cannot register an... ... LiveLaw Breaking News Alerts: 20 August 2026

Supreme Court holds that police cannot register an FIR and investigate offences under the Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition Of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.

Bench: Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N Kotiswar Singh.

Court: Section 17 while describing the function of the appropriate authority clearly states that investigating the complaint is its responsibility. The police cannot be the main authority and the police may play supplementary role as and when required by the appropriate authority.

The language of section 27 and 28 as well as the socially beneficial nature of the Act and the requirements of sensitivity along with medical and technical know-how indicates that Police are not meant to be the investigators for the purpose of this Act.