Maharashtra's Battle Against Illegal Sex Determination: Cases Rise but Convictions Lag
The fight to protect girls before birth remains one of Maharashtra's most critical — and frustratingly complex — public health and legal challenges, as new data this week reveals both progress and persistent shortcomings.
⚖️ Maharashtra Files 627 Illegal Sex Determination Cases
Maharashtra authorities have registered 627 cases of illegal prenatal sex determination under the PCPNDT Act up to March 2026, reflecting an expanded crackdown on a practice that skews the state's sex ratio. Sting operations have been widened as part of efforts to catch those facilitating illegal gender disclosure of foetuses. Officials have expressed alarm over the declining sex ratio, which has driven the intensification of these enforcement efforts. The large number of registered cases signals that illegal sex determination remains a significant and widespread problem despite years of legal prohibition. Authorities are continuing to ramp up decoy operations to identify and prosecute offenders. [4]
📋 Near-Total Inspections, Yet PCPNDT Convictions Remain Elusive
Despite authorities conducting inspections at almost all registered facilities in Maharashtra under the PCPNDT Act, actual convictions in these cases have remained stubbornly difficult to secure. The gap between the number of inspections carried out and the number of successful prosecutions points to systemic challenges in gathering legally admissible evidence and navigating the courts. Legal experts and health officials have flagged that the complexity of building watertight cases under the legislation often undermines enforcement efforts. The low conviction rate is seen as a significant obstacle to deterring those who continue to offer illegal sex determination services. Advocates argue that legal reforms and stronger investigative support are needed to translate inspections into meaningful judicial outcomes. [5]
Sources: [4] The Indian Express · [5] The Times of India