In a decisive move to combat female foeticide and reverse its alarming decline in the sex ratio at birth, Haryana will now harness mobile phone data, including call records and location histories — to identify and dismantle illegal networks involved in prenatal sex determination and unlawful abortions. According to The Times of India, the strategy was finalized during a state task force meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sudhir Rajpal in Chandigarh.
Strengthening Investigations Beyond Immediate Offenders
Rajpal emphasized that police and health officials must work in close coordination to raid illegal abortion clinics and expand investigations beyond the immediate culprits. The state has begun reverse tracking of all medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) cases beyond 12 weeks, particularly in instances where families already have one or more daughters. This data-driven approach aims to uncover entire chains of offenders, from middlemen to medical practitioners, operating behind the scenes.
Enforcement Measures and Legal Accountability
Haryana has already registered more than 120 FIRs this year in connection with illegal abortion practices, including the unauthorized sale of MTP kits. While challans have been filed in 39 cases, 47 remain under investigation. Rajpal warned that doctors found guilty of violating the law would face the most severe action, including cancellation of medical licenses. He also directed that no PNDT (Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) law nodal officer be transferred without the approval of the Director-General of Health Services (DGHS), ensuring continuity in enforcement.
Community Engagement and Awareness Campaigns
Under the state’s ‘Beti Bachao–Beti Padhao’ initiative, authorities plan to strengthen the deployment of ANMs and ASHAs in urban areas, expand public outreach, and run awareness campaigns. These will include video messages in cinema theatres and the launch of an Information, Education & Communication (IEC) dashboard next month to track campaign activities in real time. The aim is to build public understanding of the legal and ethical consequences of sex-selective practices.
The Context: A Steep Decline in Sex Ratio
Haryana, which has long battled one of the most skewed sex ratios at birth in India, has seen further deterioration. In 2024, the average sex ratio at birth dropped to 910 girls for every 1,000 boys — the lowest since 2016. The new mobile-data-driven crackdown marks one of the most technologically advanced and targeted approaches the state has taken to address the deep-rooted problem of gender bias and protect the girl child.
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