Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Amendment Act, 2002 - Substitution of new section for section 24

Substitution of new section for section 24

     For section 24 of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely:-

 Presumption in the case of conduct of pre-natal diagnostic techniques.

“24 Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the court shall presume unless the contrary is proved that the pregnant woman was compelled by her husband or any other relative, as the case may be, to undergo pre-natal diagnostic technique for the purposes other than those specified in sub-section (2) of section 4  and such person shall be liable for abetment of offence under sub-section (3) of section 23 and shall be punishable for the offence specified under that section.”.

 Amendment of section 28

          In section 28 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), in clause (b), for the words “thirty days”, the words “fifteen days” shall be substituted.
 
  Amendment of section 30
 
       In section 30 of the principal Act, for sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:-

 “(1) If the Appropriate Authority has reason to believe that an offence under this Act has been or is being committed at any Genetic Counselling Centre, Genetic Laboratory, Genetic Clinic or any other place, such Authority or any officer authorised in this behalf may, subject to such rules as may be prescribed, enter and search at all reasonable times with such assistance, if any, as such Authority or officer considers necessary, such Genetic Counselling Centre, Genetic Laboratory, Genetic Clinic or any other place and examine any record, register, document, book, pamphlet, advertisement or any other material object found therein and seize  and seal the same if such Authority or officer has reason to believe that it may furnish evidence of the commission of an offence punishable under this Act.”