The Delhi High Court today sought the stand of the Centre on a public interest litigation against an appointment to the post of "embryologist" in the National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma issued notice to the central government as well as Dr Nitiz Murdia whose appointment as the expert member on the panel has been assailed on the ground that he does not possess the requisite qualifications and training for the post.
"You have to justify. Please file a reply," the bench, also comprising Justice Saurabh Banerjee said.
The petitioner, Dr Aniruddha Narayan Malpani, an IVF specialist, said Murdia was a chemical engineer and there is no evidence of his training in embryology from any recognised university.
Represented by lawyers Mohini Priya and Ivan, the petitioner said while section 17(2)(f) of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act states that National Board should consist of an "eminent embryologist", the professional record of the appointed person showed that he has been a "managerial and marketing person throughout his career".
"There is no proof of Respondent No. 2 holding the requisite qualification of at least 15 years as an "Embryologist" required to be an Expert member of the National Board as provided in the notification dated 16.06.2022," the petition said.
"Furthermore, the Respondent no. 2 has on the basis of false and misleading information obtained the appointment, clearly indicating that he has usurped a public office without possessing the requisite qualifications and training required under the Surrogacy(Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Assisted Reproductive Technologies Act, 2021 and the Rules," it alleged.
The plea further said that while an RTI reply informed that Murdia has a Ph.D. from California Public University in "Embryology, IVF Health and Business", "investigations by the petitioner revealed" that the university does not offer any academic credits and all its programs are via online/distance education mode.
The matter would be heard next in September.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Ambedkar Row: Congress Doubles Down After BJP's Soros Edit Of Protest Pic
"Can't Order Roving...": High Court On Probe Into Sexual Harassment In Film Industry Unnao Rape Case: Kuldeep Sengar Gets Interim Bail On Medical Ground Plea In Delhi HC Seeks Guidelines To Protect Artists Work From AI Training Usage Video: Rahul Gandhi Approaches BJP MP Who Fell During Protest, This Happens People Seeking Justice For Atul Subhash Chase Rahul Gandhi. He Does This Protests At Parliament Turn Into Injury vs Injury Claims By BJP, Congress Experts Call For Higher 'Sin Tax' On Tobacco Ahead Of GST Council Meet Corruption Case Filed Against KTR Over Hyderabad Formula E Race Issue Bangladesh Man Among 8 Arrested For Plan To Target RSS, Hindu Groups Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.