Plea in SC against sex-selection technique on three websites

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre on a PIL which says adequate steps have not been taken to block Google, Yahoo and Microsoft websites that are allegedly promoting sex-selection technology in India. A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan issued notices to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and CEOs of India operations of the three popular websites on the contention that promotion of sex selection technologies violates the provision of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act.

The PIL filed by Kerala-based doctor Sabu Mathew George says despite bringing it to the notice of the departments concerned in the Government, no step has been taken to block the websites. Advocate Sanjay Paril, appearing for the petitioner, said the PIL had been filed for the full and effective implementation of the Act.

The PIL also sought a direction that Google India, Yahoo India and Microsoft Corporation should stop immediately all forms of promotion of sex-selection which includes advertisements on their websites.