The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has requested a detailed report from the Government of Punjab regarding the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment undergone by Charan Kaur, the mother of the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. This request is made in accordance with Section 21(g) (i) of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, which specifies an age limit of 21-50 years for women seeking ART services.
Charan Kaur and Balkaur Singh, the parents of Sidhu Moosewala, recently welcomed a baby boy, nearly two years after the singer’s tragic demise. In response to the government’s inquiry, Balkaur Singh expressed his distress, emphasizing that he possesses all the necessary legal documents. He posted a video on Facebook, urging Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to allow him to provide the required documents peacefully. Balkaur Singh, an ex-Army man, asserted his willingness to comply with the law and prove the legality of the IVF treatment. He also indicated readiness to face legal action if the government doubts the authenticity of the documents.
The AAP Punjab unit redirected the blame to the central government, highlighting that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s request for documents pertains to the IVF treatment of Charan Kaur. They emphasized CM Bhagwant Mann’s respect for the dignity and sentiments of Punjabis, insinuating that the central government’s directive was the root cause of the controversy.
The Ministry’s order is rooted in Section 21 of the ART (Regulations) Act, 2021, which outlines the general duties of assisted reproductive technology clinics and banks. It mandates that clinics and banks perform procedures on women aged between 21 and 50 years, and on men aged between 21 and 55 years. Furthermore, Section 27(2) specifies the permissible age range for obtaining semen from males (21-55 years) and oocytes from females (23-35 years).