Karnataka HC refuses to quash proceedings against radiologist, 2 others in female foeticide case

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against a government hospital radiologist and two others accused of involvement in an alleged illegal sex determination that was followed by the abortion of a 26-year-old pregnant woman. The court observed that offences related to sex determination strike at both the law and societal values.

The bench emphasised the gravity of such violations, noting that “female foeticide is not merely a statutory offence, it is a moral blight and a constitutional affront.” The court also remarked that the material on record shows a disturbing chain of events that ultimately led to the termination of a female foetus. As a result, it refused to interfere with the criminal case at this preliminary stage.

According to a report by The Hindu, the order was delivered by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who dismissed petitions filed by three accused, the couple, and the radiologist attached to the district hospital in Ramanagara. The court observed that the complaint, filed by the District Health and Family Welfare Officer, was detailed and specific, and could not be termed vague or speculative.

The case relates to an incident on August 22, 2025, when the woman, who was pregnant with their third child after already having two daughters, allegedly attempted to find out the sex of the fetus. Investigators claim that with assistance from relatives and intermediaries, the couple managed to arrange an illegal prenatal sex determination scan at the district hospital.

As per the complaint, the scan was allegedly conducted by a radiologist, who is accused of revealing the sex of the foetus through coded communication. The prosecution claims that once it was conveyed that the unborn child was female, discussions about money took place, and medication meant to terminate the pregnancy was provided at a private clinic.

The woman was reportedly sent back home after receiving the medication. However, she began experiencing severe bleeding the same night, which ultimately resulted in the loss of the foetus.

Investigators have also alleged that the incident may not be an isolated occurrence. Authorities suspect that two individuals acting as agents brought pregnant women for illegal sex determination, indicating the possibility of a wider network facilitating such activities.

In its observations, the High Court referred to earlier judgments of the Supreme Court of India, which stress that courts must be cautious about granting relief at the initial stage in cases involving illegal prenatal sex determination. The High Court noted that premature leniency could weaken the enforcement of laws designed to prevent gender discrimination and misuse of medical expertise.

“The sequence of events, as unfolded from the complaint and the accompanying documents, discloses a chilling and interconnected chain of facts that culminated in the extinguishment of a nascent life,” the court said, adding that the complaint by the district health official was “lucid in narration, precise in its detail, and grave in its import.”

Given these circumstances, the High Court concluded that this was not a suitable case for quashing the proceedings, allowing the investigation and trial process to continue.