NAWANSHEHAR: Thanks to the efforts of a local social organisation, the law is finally likely to catch up with an erring private nursing home in Valtoha in Tarn Taran district allegedly involved in sex determination tests.

On the basis of allegations made in a complaint to Punjab State Human Rights Commission by Parvinder Singh Kittna  general secretary of the recently established Human Empowerment League of Punjab (HELP), directions have been issued by the Commission for registration of a case and initiation of proceedings under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

On the basis of newspaper reports that the police were not registering a case against the nursing home, authorities found involved in carrying out the illegal practice of sex determination, Kittna had approached the PSHRC for appropriate action in the matter.

As per reports, a team of doctors led by the Tarn Taran Civil Surgeon, during surprise raids on nursing homes in Patti Maur and Valtoha, had detected ultrasound machines being misused for sex determination tests and femicide. While a case was registered against the nursing home in Patti Maur, no action was initiated against the Valtoha nursing home due to the alleged proximity of its authorities with the local political leadership owing allegiance to the ruling Akali party.

As per newspaper reports, even the efforts of the Punjab Health Minister who had taken up the matter at the highest level including the CM and the DGP for registering a case against the nursing home had proved futile.

The Commission in its order dated October 10, has said that "prima facie a case is made out for proceeding under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The complaint be registered as a case. A report under Section of 17(i) of the Act, be called from the SSP Tarn Taran well before 18.12.2007, on which date the complaint shall come up before the Commission for further consideration". Copies of the order along with copies of the complaint have been sent to P.S. (Home), ADGP/I.V.C.-cum-Human Rights, Punjab , Chandigarh and SSP Tarn Taran for information and compliance.

It may be mentioned here that earlier in March this year, Kittna, in a similar case, had succeeded in getting registered a case after nine months against an erring   Mahilpur nursing home found indulging in illegal abortions. He is also involved with the local NGO Upkar Coordination Society, anti-femicide efforts of which had resulted in raising the male-female ratio in the district from around 808 to over 933 within a year.