A routine inspection at a diagnostic clinic revealed missing details and blank spaces in mandatory Form F records under the PCPNDT Act. Local authorities initiated criminal proceedings against the treating doctor for serious statutory violations. Seeking relief from the courts, the doctor claimed the missing entries were harmless clerical oversights and shifted the blame to the facility's administrative staff.

The matter reached the Supreme Court, which firmly rejected these arguments and upheld the criminal prosecution. The court held that accurate record-keeping is the primary evidentiary safeguard against illegal sex selection, not a mere technical formality. Leaving fields blank in mandatory forms undermines the statute's core purpose and constitutes a punishable statutory offence.

This judgment reiterates that doctors conducting ultrasound procedures bear non-delegable personal responsibility for complete documentation. They cannot escape legal liability by blaming clerical staff or alleging a lack of criminal intent. Mandatory compliance requires meticulous accuracy in the treating doctor's records for every patient examination.

MedLegal Safety Insights

Doctors and hospitals must treat mandatory statutory documentation, especially under the PCPNDT Act, with the same diligence as direct clinical care. They should establish mandatory pre-procedure checklists and audit protocols to ensure that every required field in Form F is fully completed before performing ultrasound scans. SOPs must ensure that administrative personnel handle documentation appropriately.

Hospitals should conduct periodic legal audits and training for doctors and administrative teams to maintain flawless statutory compliance. Meticulous record management remains the strongest defence against regulatory prosecution and legal disputes.

Patients must also recognize that detailed record collection during diagnostic procedures is a mandatory legal requirement, and their full cooperation is essential.

Source

Order pronounced by the Supreme Court on 11th June 2026.

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