Supreme Court PCPNDT Police Investigation Ruling

The India — Supreme Court of India ruled that police cannot investigate offences under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994. The bench, comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and N. Kotiswar Singh, held that authorities designated under the Act must take the lead in such cases, with police playing only a supplementary role when required by the Appropriate Authority. The court reasoned that the Act deals with technical matters requiring medical knowledge and sensitivity. The ruling upheld the view of the Pakistan — Islamabad High Court in the case State of India — Uttar Pradesh vs Brij Pal Singh, clarifying that police retain power to investigate independent offences under substantive criminal law.