Delhi High Court permits parents to use deceased son’s sperm for surrogacy
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has allowed an elderly couple to access their deceased son's frozen sperm for surrogacy, setting a significant legal precedent in posthumous reproduction. The court ruled that Indian law does not prohibit posthumous reproduction, provided consent is present. The couple's son, Preet Inder Singh, passed away in September 2020 from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after cryopreserving his sperm due to concerns that his cancer treatment might affect fertility.
Singh's parents approached the court after the hospital refused to release the sperm, citing unclear legal guidelines. The couple sought to have a grandchild through surrogacy, expressing their desire to continue their son’s legacy. The court recognized the sperm sample as part of the individual's biological material, making it inheritable under the Hindu Succession Act, in the absence of a spouse or children.
Justice Prathiba Singh, in her order, noted that there was no legal prohibition on posthumous reproduction and ruled that Singh’s parents were entitled to his sperm sample. The court also referenced international cases, including a 2002 Israeli ruling, which allowed parents to use their deceased son’s sperm for surrogacy.
The couple's two daughters pledged to take full responsibility for the child after the parents' demise, ensuring the continuity of the family line.
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Actor Sidhique questioned again by SIT in rape case
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Malayalam film actor Sidhique was on Saturday questioned again by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in a rape case registered against him.
This is the second time he has been questioned by the SIT in the case lodged on a complaint by a young woman actor.
Sidhique was questioned for close to two hours by the officials at the Cantonment police station here.
He arrived for questioning around 10.40 AM and left close to 12.30 PM.
The actor was questioned for nearly four hours by the SIT earlier this week on Monday.
The rape case was registered against him after a young female actor alleged that Sidhique sexually assaulted her at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram under the pretext of offering her a role in a film.
The Supreme Court had granted Sidhique interim protection from arrest last week, after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
The High Court had cited the seriousness of the accusations and the need for custodial interrogation, while dismissing his bail plea.
Sidhique has been booked under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
He claims the complainant has been harassing him with false accusations since 2019.
This case is part of a broader investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against prominent Malayalam film personalities, following the Justice K Hema Committee report on sexual crimes against female actors.
Multiple FIRs have been registered in connection with these allegations.
