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JAIPUR, INDIA — In a decisive move to crack down on illegal prenatal sex determination, the Rajasthan Medical Council (RMC) has permanently cancelled the medical registration of Dr. Mohammad Imtiaz (also reported as Dr. Imtiaz Khan), a Jodhpur-based physician. The landmark decision was finalized during the RMC’s 136th General Body meeting on June 30, 2026. The disciplinary action follows repeated complaints and formal directives issued by the state Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) cell, the National Medical Commission (NMC), and the State Human Rights Commission, effectively barring the practitioner from practicing medicine within the state of Rajasthan.
Key Developments and the “History-Sheeter” Designation
According to official RMC minutes and local law enforcement records, Dr. Imtiaz has been arrested at least five times for allegedly conducting illegal fetal sex-determination tests. The Jodhpur police took the rare step of declaring him a “history-sheeter” approximately seven years ago—a designation typically reserved for habitual criminal offenders and highly unusual for a licensed medical professional in India.
The RMC’s stripping of Dr. Imtiaz’s license represents the culmination of years of tracking by administrative and criminal justice systems. While prior arrests led to temporary suspensions, this absolute revocation underscores a growing zero-tolerance policy toward medical professionals who repeatedly violate bioethical and statutory laws.
Understanding the PCPNDT Act and Its Public Health Stakes
The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, enacted in 1994, strictly prohibits prenatal sex determination across India. The law prescribes severe criminal penalties, hefty fines, and administrative sanctions—such as the suspension or cancellation of medical licenses—for individuals, clinics, and genetic centers that perform or facilitate these tests.
The primary objective of the PCPNDT Act is to curb sex-selective pregnancy termination, a practice that has historically led to deeply skewed child sex ratios and long-term sociological harms. In states like Rajasthan, which have historically battled imbalanced gender ratios, rigorous enforcement of these provisions is treated as both a critical public health initiative and a human rights priority.
Illegal fetal sex determination contributes heavily to female foeticide. The resulting demographic imbalance has well-documented, cascading social consequences, including a rise in gender-based violence, trafficking, and the marginalization of vulnerable women within families.
Expert Perspectives: Deterrence vs. Systemic Demand
Legal and public health experts view the RMC’s aggressive stance as a necessary step, though they note that administrative penalties are only part of a larger solution.
“Cancelling a doctor’s registration is a significant disciplinary mechanism that serves dual functions,” explains Rajesh Sharma, a New Delhi-based legal analyst specializing in medical jurisprudence, who was not involved in the case. “It is punitive because it completely strips the legal right to practice from an individual with a documented history of recidivism. Simultaneously, it acts as a powerful preventive deterrent, signaling to the wider medical community that the financial gains of bypassing PCPNDT rules carry career-ending consequences.”
However, public health experts emphasize that punitive actions alone cannot entirely eliminate the underground market for sex selection.
Dr. Anita Sen, a public health specialist focusing on reproductive health systems, notes that enforcing the law must be paired with continuous structural oversight. “If we only focus on the providers without addressing the root demand, rogue operators simply move underground or cross state lines,” Dr. Sen says. “True long-term impact requires mandatory, rigorous record-keeping audits of ultrasound clinics, frequent surprise inspections, and robust community awareness programs that challenge deeply ingrained patriarchal norms.”
Context and Background: Rajasthan’s Regulatory Battle
Rajasthan has a long and complex history of battling illegal prenatal sex testing. The state-level PCPNDT cell, alongside local courts, has actively pursued non-compliant practitioners for over a decade. In past high-profile cases, state authorities have gone as far as filing for bail cancellations when accused doctors resurfaced and allegedly resumed operations after being released from custody.
This is also not the first time the RMC has wielded its regulatory powers; in recent years, the council has suspended or cancelled the registrations of multiple doctors flagged for ethical violations, reflecting an escalating administrative effort to clean up the medical sector and protect the integrity of reproductive healthcare.
Implications for Public Health and the Healthcare System
For local communities, the immediate effect of the RMC’s ruling is the removal of a highly active, alleged source of illegal diagnostic testing. For the broader healthcare system, the decision signals a heightened level of accountability. Legitimate clinics and providers are expected to double down on compliance measures to ensure they remain well within statutory boundaries.
However, experts caution that closing down illegal outlets can sometimes create a vacuum that drives desperate families toward even less regulated, highly dangerous covert operators. For example, a rural family seeking confirmation of fetal sex might turn to uncertified technicians using substandard portable equipment, creating severe health risks for the pregnant individual. Thus, the medical community maintains that reinforcing lawful, transparent, and supportive maternal health services is vital to preventing covert substitutions.
Due Process and Limitations of Administrative Action
While the medical council’s decision is an authoritative administrative action, legal experts remind the public that administrative cancellations are distinct from criminal convictions.
Media reports rely heavily on official police files and RMC minutes. However, court proceedings regarding the criminal charges against Dr. Imtiaz may still be pending. Under Indian law, due-process avenues remain open, and practitioners retain the right to appeal administrative decisions before appropriate tribunals or higher courts. Regulatory statutes mandate strict adherence to procedural fairness, meaning the factual findings underlying the RMC’s decision will face rigorous judicial scrutiny if formally challenged by the defense.
Practical Takeaways for Clinicians and the Public
For Clinicians:
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Absolute Compliance: Maintain meticulous records of all diagnostic imaging and genetic tests as required under Form F of the PCPNDT Act.
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Statutory Displays: Ensure that mandatory notices stating that sex selection is a crime are clearly displayed in both English and local languages within the facility.
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Proactive Cooperation: Cooperate fully with state inspectors during routine or surprise audits, as regulatory bodies are increasingly utilizing permanent license revocation for repeated non-compliance.
For the Public:
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Community Vigilance: Public cooperation is essential. If you suspect or witness illegal fetal sex determination practices at a local clinic, report the activity directly to the state PCPNDT cell or local police.
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Ethical Healthcare: Opt exclusively for lawful, accountable, and transparent clinical services to ensure the safety and rights of both the mother and the unborn child.
Reference Section
Study and Regulatory Citations
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Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994. Government of India.
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Rajasthan Medical Council (RMC). Official Minutes of the 136th General Body Meeting, Item regarding Dr. Mohammad Imtiaz/Imtiaz Khan, June 30, 2026.
Media and News Sources
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Bhaskar English / Dainik Bhaskar. “Rajasthan’s first history-sheeter doctor barred from practice: Illegally conducted fetal sex tests, arrested multiple times.” Published July 12, 2026.
- Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
