AP DGP CIRCULAR ON PCPNDT ACT!- No FIR-No INVESTIGATION BY POLICE in PNDT cases!

 The  circular from the Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police concerns the proper division of responsibilities between the Police and the Appropriate Authority under the PCPNDT Act, 1994. The central instruction is that PCPNDT violations must be handled through the Act’s special statutory procedure, rather than through an independent police investigation or police charge-sheet for the PCPNDT offence. 

Police may investigate a separate cognizable offence under the BNS or other penal law, while referring the PCPNDT component to the Appropriate Authority.

Rc NO 819 &O II 2026 AP Police – PCPNDT Act, 1994 – Registration and Investigation of Offences – Guidelines – Issued.pdf

IMPORTANT: AP DGP CIRCULAR ON PCPNDT ACT, 1994

The Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police has issued guidelines on registration and investigation of offences under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.

Key points:

1️⃣ Appropriate Authority’s role: Alleged PCPNDT violations must be referred promptly to the notified Appropriate Authority, which is responsible for investigation under the special statutory framework.

2️⃣ Limits on police action: For offences exclusively under the PCPNDT Act, police should make the appropriate station diary entry and forward the information and material to the Appropriate Authority. Police should not independently register an FIR, investigate, conduct searches or seizures, or file a charge-sheet for the PCPNDT offence.

3️⃣ Limited police assistance: Police may provide lawful assistance—such as protection, tracing persons, evidence preservation and forensic or digital support—when specifically requested by the Appropriate Authority.

4️⃣ Independent criminal offences: If the facts disclose a separate cognizable offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) or another general penal law, police may register an FIR and investigate that distinct offence. The PCPNDT component must separately be referred to the Appropriate Authority.

5️⃣ Court cognizance: The circular reiterates the complaint-based procedure under Section 28 of the PCPNDT Act. A police charge-sheet alone is not the prescribed basis for taking cognizance of a PCPNDT offence.

Why this matters: The circular clarifies jurisdiction, reinforces the special statutory procedure and promotes coordination between health authorities and police while preserving their respective legal responsibilities.

For doctors, hospital administrators and Appropriate Authorities: Please read the complete circular and seek appropriate legal advice for case-specific situations.

Reference: Office of the Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh — Rc.No.819/L&O-II/2026, circular memo on PCPNDT Act offences.