A woman from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has alleged that she was forced to undergo two abortions and subjected to sexual and physical assault by her husband’s family, reportedly due to their demand for a male child.
According to an NDTV report, Mehak Khan, who married Shah Faheed in 2021, was soon pressured by her husband and in-laws for a huge dowry, including large sums of money and a car. When she refused, she was allegedly beaten repeatedly, which led to serious spinal injuries.
The abuse reportedly intensified after Mehak gave birth to a daughter. When she became pregnant again, the family allegedly arranged illegal prenatal sex determination tests, which revealed that the fetus was female. Following this, Mehak was coerced into two abortions.
In her complaint, she further alleged that she was forced to have sexual relations with her father-in-law and brother-in-law under threats and intimidation. Law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation into the case.
Another similar incident involving a woman from Vadodara , who suffered sexual abuse by her husband's family to have an heir after her husband's low sperm count, was reported by MedBound Times in August. The woman alleged that the sexual abuse by her in-laws started after the failure of IVF treatments, and her suggestion to adopt a child was denied.
The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, in India strictly prohibits sex determination before or after conception, as well as sex-selective abortions. Violations of this Act can result in imprisonment for up to three years and fines.
Despite this, female foeticide and infanticide remain significant issues in parts of India. A 2021 study published on ResearchGate highlighted that a cultural preference for sons and economic pressures often perpetuate gender-based violence and unethical medical practices.
Under Indian law, both performing and seeking prenatal sex determination tests are punishable offenses. Medical practitioners found guilty of participating in such acts can face suspension or cancellation of their licenses.
Repeated or forced abortions can have severe physical and psychological consequences. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that coerced abortions increase the risk of uterine injury, infection, infertility, and post-traumatic stress.
Furthermore, sexual assault and intimate partner violence contribute to long-term trauma, depression, and anxiety, often requiring both medical and psychological intervention.
Such cases also highlight the need for stronger implementation of women’s protection laws, and accessible counseling and rehabilitation for survivors.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India’s sex ratio at birth has improved to 929 girls per 1,000 boys, but regional disparities persist. Cultural norms favoring male heirs remain a driving factor behind such crimes.
Healthcare professionals, including gynecologists and ultrasound technicians, are legally required to maintain records under the PCPNDT Act and are prohibited from disclosing the fetus’s sex. However, cases of harassment against legitimate doctors have also been reported due to misuse of the Act, emphasizing the need for balanced enforcement that protects both women and ethical practitioners.
Last year in October, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) president, Dr. R. V. Asokan, called for the revision of the law, stating that the decades-old ban had not significantly helped bring down the gender ratio disparity, but rather only caused harassment of doctors by the families and relatives of pregnant women.
Public health experts emphasize the importance of education, gender sensitization, and community awareness to eliminate sex-selective practices. Social campaigns like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao have made progress, but systemic enforcement and societal change remain key.
Authorities urge citizens to report any incidents of forced abortions or prenatal sex determination to local police or health authorities.
Government of India. The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/8399/1/pre-conception-pre-natal-diagnostic-techniques-act-1994.pdf
International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and ICF. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21: India. Mumbai: IIPS, 2021. Accessed October 25, 2025. https://www.data.gov.in/catalog/national-family-health-survey-nfhs-5. Data.gov India+1
“Female Foeticide and Infanticide: A Legal Analysis.” ResearchGate, August 6, 2025. Accessed October 25, 2025. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359826742_Female_Foeticide_And_Infanticide_A_Legal_Analysis.
World Health Organization. Preventing Unsafe Abortion: Evidence Brief. WHO/RHR/19.21. Geneva: World Health Organization, November 11, 2019. Accessed October 25, 2025. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-RHR-19.21.
(Rh/TL/MSM)
