Haryana to Impose Strict Penalties for Illegal Sale of Abortion Pills

In a significant move to address declining sex ratios, the Haryana government is preparing to crack down on those illegally selling abortion pills or Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits. The Haryana government is taking firm action against the illegal sale of abortion pills by classifying it as a cognizable offense. This new classification will empower police to arrest suspects without warrants and impose a minimum three-year jail term on offenders. 

The current legal framework has significant gaps. Under the existing MTP Act, selling abortion kits isn't considered an offense unless directly linked to an abortion. While performing unauthorized abortions is criminalized, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act only provides minor penalties for selling these kits without prescriptions. 

These loopholes have helped many arrested sellers to easily get bail. Many sellers who were selling illegal MTP kit caught during undercover operations, but they easily got released due to lenient provisions.

The planned amendment will close these gaps by making unauthorized MTP kit sales a serious offense with strict penalties. This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to protect Haryana's gender ratio and prevent illegal pregnancy terminations.