Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BEFORE
v.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................... 5
2.3.1 The Act is arbitrary with regard to the rights of widowers in option for surrogacy 30
2.3.2 The test of reasonable classification is not satisfied in the instant case ................ 30
3. SECTION 4(III)(c)(I) OF THE SURROGACY REGULATION ACT 2021 IS
CONSTITUTIONALLY INVALID ....................................................................... 32
3.1 The Petition filed by the Petitioner, Satish is maintainable under Article 32 of the
Constitution of Nyayasthan ....................................................................................... 32
3.1.1 Petitioner has the Locus Standi to file Writ Petition ............................................. 32
3.1.2 Infringement of Fundamental Rights .................................................................... 33
3.1.3 Alternative remedy is no bar to file Writ Petition ................................................. 33
3.2 The relevant provision of the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021 is invalid which required the
intending couple to identify a willing woman ............................................................ 34
3.2.1 Petitioner seeking a direction to the Union of Nyayasthan to establish an independent
authority for the purpose of assisting intending couples/intending women in identifying
willing women for the purpose of surrogacy ........................................................ 34
3.3 The relevant provision regarding age limit for the intending couples is invalid .......... 35
3.3.1 The relevant provision of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021 which laid down an
upper age limit for the intending couple at 55 and 50 is invalid ........................... 35
3.3.2 Failure of reasonableness test under Article 14 ................................................... 36
3.3.3 Violation in the rule of law because of Arbitrariness ............................................ 36
3.3.4 Violation of right to life, personal liberty, privacy and reproductive right under Article
21 ........................................................................................................................ 37
3.4 The provision of law which prohibited advertisement seeking surrogate mother is invalid
.................................................................................................................................. 39
4. SECTION 4(III)(b)(I) OF THE SURROGACY REGULATION ACT 2021 IS
CONSTITUTIONALLY INVALID ....................................................................... 39
4.1 Th petition filed by the Petitioner, Shanti is maintainable under Article 32 of the
Constitution of Nyayasthan ....................................................................................... 40
4.1.1 Petitioner has the Locus Standi to file Writ Petition ............................................. 40
4.1.2 Infringement of Fundamental Rights .................................................................... 42
4.1.3 Alternative remedy is no bar to file Writ Petition ................................................. 43
4.2 Section 4(III)(b)(I) of the Surrogacy Regulation Act violates fundamental Rights...... 43
4.2.1 The said provision violates Article 14 of the Constitution of Nyayasthan ............. 44
4.2.2 The said provision violates Article 15 of the Constitution of Nyayasthan ............. 44
PRAYER ........................................................................................................................ 47
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
¶ Paragraph
& And
Anr. Another
Bom Bombay
Ed. Edition
HC High Court
SC Supreme Court
No. Number
Ors. Others
Sec. Section
Supp. Supplementary
v. Versus
Vol. Volume
i.e., That is
Govt. Government
Pg Page
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
A. CASES
Indian Cases
A.
16) Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors., (2015) 3 SCC 1 (India).
17) Avinash Chand Gupta v. State of U.PBaby Manaji v.Union of India,(2008) 13 SCC 518.
B.
18) .Bakoro & Ramgni Ltd. v.State of Bihar,1963 SC 516;
19) Bangalore Development Authority v.Air Craft Employees Co-operation Society,AIR 2002
SCC 246
20) Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. UOI, A.I.R. 1984 SC 802: (1984) 3 SCC 161: (1984) 2 SCR 67,
C.
28) Central Bank Retires Association v. Union of India, (2006) 1 SCC 497
29) Chameli Singh v. State of U.P.; A.I.R. 1996 S.C. 1051(India)
30) Chiranjit Lal Chowdhary v. UOI, A.I.R. 1951 SC 41: (1950) SCR 869
31) Chiranjit Lal v. Union of India. (1950) SCR 869: A.I.R. 1951 SC 41
32) Committee &Anr, 1998 (75) DLT836; Shahabudhin v. State of Bihar, 2010 (4) SCC 653;
33) Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association v. State of Nagaland,
(2006) 1 SCC 496
D.
34) Danial Latifi v. Union of India; (2001) 7 S.C.C. 740; Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal
Corpn; (1985) 3 S.C.C. 545; Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India; (1978) 1 S.C.C. 248(India)
35) Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Ors v. Bachan Singh, 2010(5) ALT 4
36) Daryao v. State of Uttar Pradesh, 1962 SCR (1) 574.
37) Daryao v. State of UP, A.I.R. 1961 SC 1457 (1962) 1 SCR 574
38) Deep Chand v. State of U.P., A.I.R. 1959 SC 648 (India)).
E.
39) E.P. Royappa v. State of Tamil Nadu, A.I.R. 1974 S.C. 555.
40) Express Newspaper (P) Ltd. v. UOI, A.I.R. 1986 SC 872: (1986) 1 SCC 133
F.
41) Fertilizer Corpn. Kamgar Union v. UOI, (1981) 1 SCC 568 A.I.R. 1981 SC 344
42) Francis Coralie Mullin v. Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi;(1981) 1 S.C.C. 608;
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India; (1978) 1 S.C.C. 248(India)
G.
44) Gobind v. State of M.P,AIR 1975 SC 1378.See Also; Kharak Singh v. State of U.P,AIR
1963 SC 1295.
45) Golak Nath v. UOI, (1967) 2 SCR 762 (India)
46) Govt. Of A. P v. Maharshi Publishers Pvt.Ltd(2003) 1 S.C.C. 95.98- 99,
H.
47) Hans muller v.Supdt.Presidency Jail,AIR 1955 SC 367
48) HarbansalSahnia V. Indian oil Corporation Ltd. AIR 2003 SC 2120
49) Hema Vijay Menon v. State of Maharashtra,(2015) 5 AIR Bom R 370.
50) High Court of Judicature of Bombay v. Shirish Kumar, (1997) 6 SCC 339 A.I.R. 1961 SC
1457 : (1962) 1SCR 574.
I.
51) Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd. V. India (1985) 1 SCC 641)
52) Indian legal and Economic forum v. U.O.I (1997) 10 SCC 728.
53) Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain AIR 1975 SC 2299
54) Indira Sawhney v. Union of India, AIR 1993 SC 477.
55) International Airport Authority v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi,(1979) 3 SCC 489.
56) I.R. Coelho (Dead) By Lrs vs State Of Tamil Nadu & Ors on 11 January, 2007
57) I.R Colho v. State of Tamil Nadu, (1998) 7 SCC 550.
J.
58) Justice K.S. Puttuswamy (Retd) v. Union of India and Ors; (2017) 10 S.C.C. 1
59) Justice K S Puttaswamy (Retd) v Union of India, WP (Civil) No. 494 of 2012 (India)
60) Jyothi Pershad v The administrator for the Union Territory of Delhi AIR 1961 SC 1602
K.
61) Kanubhai Brahmbatt v. State of Gujarat, A.I.R. 1987 SC 1159 (1989) Supp-2 SCC 310.
62) Karan Balraj Mehta and Anr v. Union of India, (Civil) No. 8848 of 2022
63) Kartar Singh v. State of Punjab; A.I.R. 1961 S.C. 456(India)
64) Kathi Raning Rawat v.State of Saurashtra,AIR 1952 SC 123.
65) Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, (1973) 4 SCC 225;
66) Kharak Singh v. State of U.P.; A.I.R. 1963 S.C. 1295
Foreign Cases
144) Mennesson v. France and Labassee v. France, 26th June 2014
145) D. and Ors v. Belgium (Case no. 29176/13)
B. STATUTES
C. INTERNWTIONAL STATUTES
9) BOOKS
12. LEXICONS
1. http://www.latestlaws.com
2. http:// www.legalserviceindia.com
3. http://www.westlawindia.com
4. http://www.vakilno1.com
5. http://www.manupatra.com
6. http://www.heionline.com
7. http://www.S.C.C.online.com
8. http://www.lexisnexis.com/in/legal
9. http://www.allaw.com
10. http://www.lexology.com
11. http://www.lawfirms.com
12. http://www.scribd.com
13. http://www.indiankoon.org
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
The present memorandum sets forth the facts, contentions and arguments in the present
case in the jurisdiction of the Petitioners
1
Art 32, Constitution of Nyayasthan- Writ Petition before the Supreme Court.
Article 32: Remedies for enforcement of rights conferred by this Part (Part III)
(1) The right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of the rights conferred
by this Part is guaranteed.
(2) The Supreme Court shall have power to issue directions or orders or writs, including writs in the nature of
habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari, whichever maybe appropriate, for the
enforcement of any of the rights conferred by this Part.
(3) Without prejudice to the powers conferred on the Supreme Court by clause (1) and (2), Parliament may by
Law empower any other court to exercise within the local limits of its jurisdiction all or any of the powers
exercisable by the Supreme Court under clause (2).
(4) The right guaranteed by this article shall not be suspended except as otherwise provided for by this
constitution.
SUMMARY OF FACTS
The petitioners, Rajesh, Sandeep ,Sathish, and Shanthi filed petitions involving questions
relating to the constitutional validity of various provisions of the Surrogacy(Regulation) Act,
2021. The Supreme Court of Nyayasthan decided to hear all the petitions together on the
question of admissibility as well as merits.
Nyaysthan is a country having a constitution as well as legal system identical to that of India.
The geography of Nyayasthan is also similar to that of India. Nyaysthan is a member of the
United Nation and it has ratified all the International treaties which has been ratified by India.
Since the year 2000, Nyasthan emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples from different countries.
There were reported incidents of unethical practices exploitation of surrogate mothers
abandonment of children born out of surrogacy and import of human embroys and gamets.
With a a view to regulate surrogacy services in Nyaysthan and also to prohibit the potential
exploitation of of surrogate mothers and to protect the right of the children born through
surrogacy the Parliament of Nyaysthan passed the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021.
The Central Government constituted the national Assisted Reproductive Technology and
Surrogacy Board. After the board was constituted , there were widespread allegations that many
of the expert members of the board were persons who were not adequetly qualified to be the
mebers of the board. Mr. Rajesh filed an application to the Public Information Officer (PIO)
under the Right to Information Act (RTI) Act 2005 seeking copies of the educational certificate
and other documents considered by the Central government while nominating the members of
the board. However, that was rejected by the PIO. Aggrieved by this Mr. Rajesh filed a writ
petition under Article 32 of the constitution seeking a direction to competent authorities to
disclose the information sought by him. Rajesh also prayed for a direction to the Board to
proactively disclose and publish the copy of the educational certificates of the expert members
in the website of the Board.
Sandeep and Arya were ready to have a child soon. But the fate was different. Arya succumbed
to an accident. After the tragic incident Sandeep decided to live alone. However, he couldn’t
Sathis and Sruthi who grew up in an orphanage tied knot on 1st February 2005. Despite waiting
for several years they could not fulfill the dream of having their own children. With an intention
to become parents through surrogacy they approached fulfill surrogacy clinic in Karol City.
However, they were informed that they will have to identify a willing women to act as a
surrogate mother. They decided to publish an advertisement as they didn’t have relatives to
help them. Finally they got a willing women named Shanthi.
Shanthi, who is 30, was involved in a living relationship with a man. Her first husband
succumbed to an accident. However, despite giving the consent, it was informed that Shanthi
could not become a surrogate mother as she did not satisfy the conditions specified in section
4 (iii)(b)(I) of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021. Sathish and Sruthi also could not adopt
surrogacy as they crossed 55 and 50 years respectively.
Sathish and Sruthi decide to challenge the provisions which required the intending couple to
identify a willing women and also challenged the constitutional validity of relevant provisions
which prescribed the age limits of intending couple. In the petition he sought a direction to the
Union of India to establish an independent authority for the purpose of assisting intending
couples/ intending women in identifying willing women for the purpose of surrogacy.
By way of separate petition, Shanthi challenged the constitutional validity of the provision
which restricted the option of becoming the surrogate mother to only ever married women aged
between 25 and 35 years having a child of her own.
The Supreme Court of Nyayasthan decided to hear all the petitions togather on the question of
admissibility as well as merits.
ISSUES RAISED
ISSUE 1
ISSUE 2
Whether the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021 which denied permission to a widower to
have a child is invalid?
ISSUE 3
ISSUE 4
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
It is humbly submitted before the Honourable court that the petition filed by Rajesh under
Article 32 of the constitution of Nyayasthan to disclose and publish the copies of the
educational certificate and other documents of the members of the board is constitutionally
valid. The petitioners asserts that The petition filed by Mr. Rajesh under Article 32 of the
constitution is maintainable, the petitioner has the right to seek the copies of the educational
certificate and other documents of the members of the board under the RTI act 2005, Right to
information is a fundamental right.
The decision to create a new human being, as a member of one’s family is regarded as
quintessential an aspect of personal liberty. The right to reproduce and to procreate has evolved
due to the technological advances of using IVF to procreate through surrogacy with the help of
surrogate mother. It is well settled that the Surrogacy Regulation Act of 2021 remains silent as
to the rights of unmarried couples and single parents from commissioning surrogacy. Therefore
it is humbly submitted that the blanket ban imposed on the Petitioner’s right to have a child
through surrogacy is invalid. The petitioners asserts that, the petition filed by Mr.Sandeep is
maintainable, The Petitioner’s right to privacy under Art.21 is violated and There is a blatant
violation of Art.14.
The Counsel for the Petitioner side humbly contends that the couple, Satish and Sruthi opted
for surrogacy, and seek the help of Shanti, but they did not comply with the conditions laid
down in the provisions in Surrogacy Regulation Act, 2021. By way of a separate petition,
Shanti, as per the instruction of Satish and Sruthi, challenged the constitutional validity of the
provision which restricted the option of becoming surrogate mother to only ever married
women aged between 25 and 35 years having a child of her own. It is asserted that The Petition
filed by the Petitioner, Satish is maintainable under Article 32 of the Constitution of
Nyayasthan, the relevant provision of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 is invalid which
required the intending couple to identify a willing woman, the relevant provisions regarding
age limit for the intending couples is invalid and The provision of law which prohibited
advertisement seeking surrogate mothers is invalid.
The Counsel for the Petitioner side humbly contends that the couple, Satish and Sruthi opted
for surrogacy, and seek the help of Shanti, but they did not comply with the conditions laid
down in the provisions in Surrogacy Regulation Act, 2021. By way of a separate petition,
Shanti, as per the instruction of Satish and Sruthi, challenged the constitutional validity of the
provision which restricted the option of becoming surrogate mother to only ever married
women aged between 25 and 35 years having a child of her own. It is contended that The
Petition filed by the Petitioner, Shanti is maintainable under Article 32 of the Constitution of
Nyayasthan and Section 4(III) (b)(I) of the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021 violates
Fundamental Rights
ARGUMENTS ADVANCED
-Benjamin Franklin.
1) It is humbly submitted before the Honourable court that the petition filed by Rajesh under
Article 32 of the constitution of Nyayasthan to disclose and publish the copies of the
educational certificate and other documents of the members of the board is constitutionally
valid. The petitioners asserts that (1.1) The petition filed by Mr. Rajesh under Article 32 of
the constitution is maintainable (1.2) the petitioner has the right to seek the copies of the
educational certificate and other documents of the members of the board under the RTI act
2005 (1.3) Right to information is a fundamental right.
1.2 THE PETITIONER HAS THE RIGHT TO SEEK THE COPIES OF THE
EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATE AND OTHER DOCUMENTS OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD UNDER THE RTI ACT 2005
9) It is humbly submitted before the Honourable Court that the petitioner has the right to
seek the copies of the educational certificate and other documents of the members of the
2
Daryao v. State of Uttar Pradesh, 1962 SCR (1) 574.
3
State of Bombay v. United motors Ltd. AIR 1953 SC 252
4
HarbansalSahnia v. Indian oil Corporation Ltd. AIR 2003 SC 2120
5
S. Pratap Singh v. State of Punjab, AIR 1964 SC 72
6
Bennett Coleman and Co. v. Union of India AIR 1973 SC 106
7
Prem Chand Garg v. Excise Commissioner, U.P AIR 1963 SC 996
1.2.1 the said documents come under the purview of public interest.
10) Section 8 lays down certain qualified exemptions, which are subject to the Public Interest
Test. Here, the public authority in possession of the information, must consider whether
there is greater public interest in disclosing the information or withholding the information
(popularly called- balancing the public interest or herein referred to as the Public Interest
Test). Surprisingly, the RTI 2005 fails to mention anywhere the definition of a 'public
authority'. This term is not found defined in any freedom of information law of the world.8
11) Section 3 of the Right to Information Act provides that subject to provision of this Act
citizens shall have the right to information. In the instant case, Mr. Rajesh filed an
application to the Public Information Officer seeking the copies of educational certificates
and other documents considered by the central government while nominating the members
of the board. The RTI application was rejected by the Public Information Officer on the
ground that the information sought was personal in nature and hence need not be disclosed
under the RTI Act. Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act 2005 says that (j) information which
relates to personal information the disclosure of which has not relationship to any public
activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the
individual unless the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information
Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public
interest justifies the disclosure of such information: Provided that the information, which
cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature shall not be denied to any person.9
12) In the case of Bihar Public Service Commission v. Saiyed Hussain Abbas Rizwi 10 wherein
in the context of exemption under Section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act, 2005, the Court had held
that exemption provided under Section 8 of the Act is the rule and only in exceptional
circumstances of larger public interest the information would be disclosed. The expression
"public interest" has to be understood in its true connotation so as to give complete meaning
to the relevant provisions of the Act. The expression "public interest" must be viewed in its
strict sense with all its exceptions so as to justify denial of a statutory exemption in terms
8
Srinivas Madhav, "The Right to Information and Public Interest - A Primer", RTI Manual, March 2007
9
Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to information Act
10
of Bihar Public Service Commission v. Saiyed Hussain Abbas Rizwi: (2012) 13 SCC 61
11
(State of Bihar v. Kameshwar Singh [AIR 1952 SC 252] )
12
Black's Law Dictionary (8th Edn.)
13
State of Gujarat v. Mirzapur Moti Kureshi Kassab Jamat & Others, (2005) 8 SCC 534
14
Section 3 of the RTI Act.
15
Section 2(i) of IT Act 2005.
16
Surendra Narula v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi CRL.M.C. No.26/2016
17
Bennett Coleman and Co. v. Union of India AIR 1973 SC 106
18
Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain AIR 1975 SC 2299
19
SP Gupta v. Union of India AIR 1982 SC 149
20
People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India 2003(001) SCW 2353 SC
21
Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd. V. India (1985) 1 SCC 641)
22
State of U.P V. Raj Narain AIR 1975 SC 865
“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”
-John F. Kennedy
18) The decision to create a new human being, as a member of one’s family is regarded as
quintessential an aspect of personal liberty.24 The right to reproduce and to procreate has
evolved due to the technological advances of using IVF to procreate through surrogacy
with the help of surrogate mother.25It is well settled that the Surrogacy Regulation Act of
2021 remains silent as to the rights of unmarried couples and single parents from
commissioning surrogacy. Therefore it is humbly submitted that the blanket ban imposed
on the Petitioner’s right to have a child through surrogacy is invalid. The petitioners asserts
that (2.1.)the petition filed by Mr.Sandeep is maintainable (2.2) The Petitioner’s right to
privacy under Art.21 is violated and secondly, (2.3) There is a blatant violation of Art.14.
2.1 THE PETITION FILED BY MR. SANDEEP IS MAINTAINABLE
19) Speaking on the question as to the maintainability of Sandeep in the instant matter, it is
humbly submitted before this Honourable Court that the Supreme Court is constituted as
the protector and guarantor of fundamental rights and is thus under an obligation to grant
relief where the existence of a fundamental right and its breach, actual or threatened, is
23
Kuldip Nayar v. UOI AIR 2006 SC 3127
24
Baby Manaji v.Union of India,(2008) 13 SCC 518.
25
Mazor, Emotional Reactions to Infertility, Infertility, 1984, pp. 27-29.
20) It is humbly submitted before this Honourable Court that the petitioner’s right under Article
21 is violated. The petitioner asserts that (2.2.1) the procedure established by law is
arbitrary (2.2.2) reproductive right is a basic human right and that has been violated in the
instant case.
2.2.1 the procedure established by law is arbitrary
21) No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure
established by law and such procedure shall be reasonable, fair and just 29. The Supreme
Court has asserted in Kartar Singh v. State of Punjab30 that the procedure contemplated
by Art 21 is that it must be “right, just and fair” and not arbitrary, fanciful or oppressive. In
order that the procedure be right, just and fair, it must confirm to natural justice.
Accordingly, it requires, firstly, existence of an enacted law authorizing interference with
the life of personal liberty, secondly, the law should be valid, and thirdly the procedure laid
down by the law must be followed31 . State of Madhya Pradesh v. Shobharam and Ors32
the Court held that no authority in India (Legislative, executive, judicial) can deprive a
26
Tata Iron and Steel Co. v. Sarkar, AIR 1961 SC 65.
27
Hans muller v.Supdt.Presidency Jail,AIR 1955 SC 367.See Also;Bakoro & Ramgni Ltd. v.State of Bihar,1963
SC 516; Sarbananda Sonowal v.U.O.I.,AIR 2005 SC 2920.
28
AIR 2003 SC 2120
29
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India, (1979) 1 S.C.C. 248.; See also, Francis Coralie Mullin v. The
Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi & Ors, 1981 A.I.R. 746.
30
Kartar Singh v. State of Punjab, (1994) 3 S.C.C. 569.
31
A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras, A.I.R. 1950 SC 27; Bishan Das v. State of Punjab, A.I.R. 1961 SC 1570;
Kartar Singh v. State of U.P. A.I.R. 1963 SC 1205.
32
State of Madhya Pradesh v. Shobharam and Ors, W.P No. 243/ 1954 (1966)
23) It is an established principle in law that the reproductive right of all persons is a basic human
right. In B.K. Parthasarathi v. Govt. of A.P.33, the Court upheld “the right of reproductive
autonomy” of an individual as a facet of his “right to privacy” whilst agreeing with the
decision of the US Supreme Court in Skinner v. State of Oklahoma34, which characterised
the right to reproduce as one of the basic civil rights of man. Thus, the right to privacy of
every person to be free from unwarranted governmental intrusion into matters
fundamentally affecting a decision to bear or beget a child through surrogacy cannot be
taken away. 35 The notions of right to privacy and the right to choose have expanded
dramatically since the judgment of the Constitutional Bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court
in Justice K S Puttaswamy (Retd) & Anr v Union of India & Ors36. It is a well settled
position in law that the right to privacy has been identified as a constitutionally protected
right, being a facet of Article 21 of the Constitution.37 Moreover the right to life under
Article 21 includes a wide range of rights being the right to abortion, the right to
contraception and the right to have children. 38 How an individual decides to use this right
cannot, be intruded upon by the Government unless there is interference with another
individual’s right.39Moreover reproductive choices are two fold, it includes the right to
procreate as well as to abstain from procreating.40
24) Hence in light of the aforementioned case laws it is humbly submitted that the right to
privacy within the meaning of Article 21 encapsulates the right to parenthood and therefore
33
B.K. Parthasarathi v. Govt. of A.P, AIR 2000 AP 156.
34
Skinner v. State of Oklahoma, 1942 SCC Online USSC 125.
35
Karan Balraj Mehta v.UOI,Case No,8448/2022.
36
Justice K S Puttaswamy (Retd) & Anr v Union of India & Ors 36, AIR 2017 SC 4161.
37
Gobind v. State of M.P,AIR 1975 SC 1378.See Also; Kharak Singh v. State of U.P,AIR 1963 SC 1295.
38
Hema Vijay Menon v. State of Maharashtra,(2015) 5 AIR Bom R 370.
39
Id.
40
Suchita Srivastava v. Chandigarh Admn., (2009) 9 SCC 1.
41
SEERVAI H.M, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW OF INDIA, 4th ed. 2002, Volume 2, Universal Book Traders.
42
Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab, AIR 1982 SC 1325.
43
U.O.I. v. Tulsiram Patel, AIR 1985 SC 1416.Se Also;Rajendra Kumar Mohatta v. New Delhi Municpal
Committee &Anr, 1998 (75) DLT836; Shahabudhin v. State of Bihar, 2010 (4) SCC 653; M Nagraj v.U.O.I.,
(2006)8 SCC 212.
44
See, section 2(s) of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.
45
Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab,AIR 1982 SC 1325.
46
U.O.I. v. Tulsiram Patel, AIR 1985 SC 1416.Se Also;Rajendra Kumar Mohatta v. New Delhi Municpal
Committee &Anr, 1998 (75) DLT836; Shahabudhin v. State of Bihar, 2010 (4) SCC 653; M Nagraj v.U.O.I.,
(2006)8 SCC 212.
47
International Airport Authority v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi,(1979) 3 SCC 489
48
Jyoti Pershad v. The Administrator for the Union Territory of Delhi, AIR 1961 SC 1602.See
Also;Bangalore Development Authority v.Air Craft Employees Co-operation Society,AIR 2002 SCC 246
49
Neelima Mishra v.Harinder Kaur Paintal & Ors,AIR 1990 SC 1402.
50
Aeltemesh rein,Advocate,Supreme Court of India v.U.O.I.,AIR 1988 SC 1768.
51
Ram Krishna Dalmia v.Justice S.R.Tendolkar, AIR 1958 SC 538.See Also;Kathi Raning Rawat v.State of
Saurashtra,AIR 1952 SC 123.
52
Neelima Mishra v. Harinder Kaur Paintal & Ors,AIR 1990 SC 1402.See Also,Moumita Padar v.Indian Oil
Corporation Ltd, AIR 2007 SC 424.
53
Som Raj v. State of Haryana,AIR 1990 SC 1176.
54
Style(dress hand) v. UT,Chandigarh,(1999)7SCC89.See Also;Shrilekha Vidyarthi v.State of U.P,AIR 1991
SC 537.
Right to Equality is a necessary corollary of rule of law which pervades the Constitution55
31) The Counsel for the Petitioner side humbly contends that the couple, Satish and Sruthi
opted for surrogacy, and seek the help of Shanti, but they did not comply with the conditions
laid down in the provisions in Surrogacy Regulation Act, 202156. It is asserted that [3.1]
The Petition filed by the Petitioner, Satish is maintainable under Article 32 of the
Constitution of Nyayasthan [3.2] the relevant provision of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act,
2021 is invalid which required the intending couple to identify a willing woman, [3.3] the
relevant provisions regarding age limit for the intending couples is invalid and [3.4] The
provision of law which prohibited advertisement seeking surrogate mothers is invalid.
32) It is humbly contended by the Counsel for the Petitioner side that surrogacy is a private
affair and the precondition of a genetically related surrogate mother would be in violation
of the basic right to privacy and reproductive autonomy of infertile couples. It
violates Article 21 of the Constitution and hence, it is in violation of fundamental rights
which leads to the maintainability of the Writ Petition.
33) The Counsel for the Petitioner side humbly states that the petitioner, Satish has the locus
standi to file the writ Petition before the honourable Supreme Court of Nyayasthan. The
definition of locus standi has been explained to be a person aggrieved57. The term “locus
standi” is the right or capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court58.
55
Ashutosh Gupta v. State of Rajasthan, A.I.R. 2002 SC 1553
56
Moot Proposition ¶ 4, page no: 3
57
Amit Kumar Dwivedi and ors v. State of U.P and ors, service, A.I.R. 2020 SC 345 (India).
58
Concise Oxford English Dictionary, (10th edn.,834).
36) It is humbly contended by the Counsel for the Petitioner side that it is through the armoury
of expansive dynamism that the courts have able to give an all-inclusive interpretation to
the fundamental rights enshrined in Part III of our Constitution61. It is hereby contended
that the Petitioner’s fundamental rights enshrined under Article 14, 15 and 21 have been
violated in the instant case. The Petitioner submits that the Right to access to the Supreme
Court under Article 32 is a Fundamental Right itself62 and maintainable63. Likewise, in the
instant case also, there is fundamental rights violation under the Constitution of Nyayasthan
regarding the provisions of Surrogacy Regulation Act, 2021.
37) It is pertinent to note that the existence of an alternative remedy, whether adequate or not
does not alter the fundamentally64 and therefore, does not create an absolute legal bar on
the exercise of writ jurisdiction65.
59
Vishaka and Ors v. the State of Rajasthan, A.I.R. 1997 S.C. 3011 (India)
60
State of Kerala v. Markose, A.I.R 1962 Ker 78 (India)
61
Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association and Anr v. Union of India, writ Petition (civil) 1303 of
1987 (India)
62
Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras A.I.R. 1950 S.C. 124 (India).
63
Francis Coralie Mulin v. Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi, [1980] 2 S.C.R. 557 (India)
64
All India Tea Trading Co. v. S.D.O, A.I.R 1962 Ass 20 (India).
65
Sripur Paper Mills v. Commissioner of Wealth Tax, A.I.R. 1970 SC 1520
39) It is humbly contended by the Counsel for the Petitioner side that the Sec 4(III)(b)(II) of
the Surrogacy (regulation) Act 2021 is invalid which required the intending couple to
identify a willing woman67.
40) Altruistic surrogacy within the family is flawed as a concept, loaded with patriarchal
control over the reproductive choices of a woman, and going against the core of the right
to privacy and the right to reproduction, both of which are cherished fundamental rights.
The SC in its Constitution Bench judgment in K S Puttaswamy (2017)68 emphasised the
constitutional right of women to make reproductive choices in the instant case.
41) It is submitted by the Counsel for the Petitioner side that there must be an independent
authority for the purpose of assisting intending couples/ intending women in identifying
willing women for the purpose of surrogacy. Finding an altruistic Surrogate will be the
most difficult step. It involves no monetary compensation to the surrogate mother other
than the medical expenses and insurance coverage during the pregnancy. inspect or cause
to be inspected any juvenile custodial home, or any other place of residence or institution
meant for children, under the control of the Central Government or any State Government
or any other authority, including any institution run by a social organisation; where children
66
Saraswati Industrial Syndicate v. Union of India, A.I.R 1975 SC 460 (India)
67
Sec 4(iii)(b)(II)- a willing woman shall act as a surrogate mother and be permitted to undergo surrogacy
procedures as per the provisions of this Act; provided that the intending couple or the intending woman shall
approach the appropriate authority with a willing woman who agrees to act as a surrogate mother.
68
Justice K S Puttaswamy (Retd) v Union of India, WP (Civil) No. 494 of 2012 (India)
3.3 THE RELEVANT PROVISION REGARDING AGE LIMIT FOR THE INTENDING
COUPLES IS INVALID
42) It is humbly contended that Section 4(III)(c)(I) of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 202171
is constitutionally invalid as it affects the fundamental rights of the Petitioner and in
general. Sections says that the intending couple are married and between the age of 23 to
50 years in case of female and between 26 to 55 years in case of male on the day of
certification.
3.3.1 The relevant provision of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 which laid down an
upper age limit for the intending couple at 55 and 50 years is invalid
43) The petitioner’s side referred to a judgment of the Kerala High Court. In a significant
judgment, a single judge bench of Justice V.G. Arun, in a batch of petitions challenging the
upper eligibility limit of 50 years for women and 55 years for men prescribed under the
ART Act, observed that the fundamental right of individuals to procreate and build a family
based on personal choice is being restricted because of the upper age limit. Last month, the
high court in Nandini K & Anr. versus Union of India & Ors 72.observed that “…the
imposition of age restriction, without even a transitional provision, is irrational and
arbitrary.” The bench issued notices to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the Indian Council for Medical
Research for their responses. The Surrogacy Act puts women into two categories: first,
under section 4(iii)(c)(I)73, as part of intending couple being a woman between the age of
69
Baby Manji Yamada v. Union of India and Anr, WP(c) no. 369 of 2008
70
Section 4(iii)a(II) of Surrogacy Regulation Act, 2021
71
4(III)(c)(I)- the intending couple are married and between the age of 23 to 50 years in case of female and
between 26 to 55 years in case of male on the day of certification
72
Nandini K & Anr. versus Union of India represented by its Secretary & Ors, WP (Civil), Delhi High Court,
2022
73
Arun Muthuvel versus Union of India & Ors, WP (Civil) No. 756 of 2022
44) The Counsel for the Petitioner side held that Article 14 of the Nyayasthan Constitution
states that “the state shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal
protection of the laws within the territory of Nyayasthan”. In one hand, where the
constitution provides equality to all, on the other hand, the criminal law discriminates the
female. This classification is constitutionally invalid and is inconsistent with the doctrine
laid down in the judgment of Budhan Choudhary v State of Bihar74 and State of West
Bengal v. Anwar Ali Sarkar75, where it was held that the classification should have some
rational nexus to the objective that the act seeks to achieve. On the contention that the State
cannot regulate the reproductive choices of its citizens, it may be worthwhile to refer to
Article 16(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, extracted hereunder; “Article
16(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion,
have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to
marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution76. Article 14 strikes at arbitrariness;
because the action made by police is arbitrary77 as it must necessarily involve negation of
equality78 by stating that the provisions under Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021 is invalid.
Hence, while going through the factual matrix of the case, it was very clear that there was
a violation of Article 14 of the Petitioner, Satish as here the classification made under
provisions of Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021 is of discriminative nature, as it shows a
violation of gender neutrality by clearly stated married and unmarried, regarding gender.
74
Budhan Choudhary v State of Bihar, A.I.R. 1955 S.C. 191 (India)
75
State of West Bengal v. Anwar Ali Sarkar, A.I.R. 1952 S.C. 75 (India)
76
Article 16(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
77
Sharma Transport v. Government of A.P, MANU/SC/0759/2001,
78
Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Ors v. Bachan Singh, 2010(5) ALT 4
47) In the instant case, there is no rationale in prescribing an upper age limit of 55 for men and
59 for women. It shows a clear-cut violation of Article 14, 15 of the Constitution of
Nyayasthan.
3.3.4 Violation of Right to life, personal liberty, privacy and reproductive right under Article
21
48) While going through the perusal of case, it is clear that Article 21 of Nyayasthan
constitution is given a wide interpretation by way of judicial activism following Maneka
Gandhi v Union of India87 . The Apex court, in Kartar Singh v state of Punjab88 held that
the procedure contemplated by article 21 must be “right, just and fair” and not arbitrary,
79
Soma Raj v. State of Haryana 1990 A.I.R. 1176.
80
According to Black’s law dictionary, rule of law may be specifically defined as supremacy of law where
decision is made by applying known principles or laws, where there is no intervention of discretion in application
of such principles or laws
81
H.M. Seervai, Constitutional Law of India, vol.1, Universal Book Traders, vol 3,4th ed.2002, page no:423
82
Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1983)4 S.C.C 225
83
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India, (1978) 1 S.C.C 248
84
E.P. Royappa v. State of Tamil Nadu, A.I.R. 1974 S.C. 555.
85
Sharma Transport v. Government of A.P, A.I.R 2001 S.C. 567.
86
Ajay Hasia v. Khalid Mujib Sehravardi (1981) 1 S.C.C.722.
87
Maneka Gandhi v Union of India, A.I.R. 1978 S.C. 597(India)
88
Kartar Singh v state of Punjab, A.I.R. 1961 SC 1787(India)
89
Bodhisattwa Gautam v Subhra Chakraborty, A.I.R. 1996 S.C. 922(India)
90
id
91
Francis Coralie Mullin v The Administrator, the Union Territory of Delhi, A.I.R. 1981 S.C. 746 (India)
92
Suchita Srivastava v. Chandigarh Administration (2009) 9 SCC 1,
93
id.
94
Karan Balraj Mehta and Anr v. Union of India, WP (civil) No. 8448 of 2022
95
Shayara Bano v. Union of India [(2017) 9 SCC 1],
52) It is contended that the provision under Section 3(v) of the Act states that no surrogacy
clinic, registered medical practitioner, gynaecologist, paediatrician, embryologist or any
other person shall promote, publish, canvass, propagate or advertise or cause to be
promoted, published, canvassed, propagated or advertised. Section 38 (1)(b) states that No
person, organisation, surrogacy clinic, laboratory or clinical establishment of any kind shall
issue, publish, distribute, communicate or cause to be issued, published, distributed or
communicated, any advertisement97 in any manner regarding commercial surrogacy by any
means whatsoever, scientific or otherwise. Social Media adverts urging young women to
become surrogate mothers could be allowed under Law Commission Proposals. Hence, in
the instant case, the provision of law which prohibited advertisement seeking surrogate
mothers is invalid.
53) The Counsel for the Petitioner side humbly contends that the couple, Satish and Sruthi
opted for surrogacy, and seek the help of Shanti, but they did not comply with the conditions
laid down in the provisions in Surrogacy Regulation Act, 202198.
96
Section 4(III)(c)(I) of the Surrogacy Regulation Act, 2021
97
Sec 38(3) of the Surrogacy Regulation Act, 2021- (3) For the purposes of this section, the expression
“advertisement” includes any notice, circular, label, wrapper or any other document including advertisement
through internet or any other media, in electronic or print form and also includes any visible representation
made by means of any hoarding, wall-painting, signal light, sound, smoke or gas
98
Moot Proposition ¶ 4, page no: 3
99
Moot Proposition ¶ 6, page number 4
100
Rabindra Nath Bose and others v. Union of India and others, AIR 1970 SC 470.
101
R v. Diary Produce Quota Tribunal (1990) 2 AII ER 434 : (1990) 2 WLR 1302.
102
M.K Mallick, Law and Practice, 47 (12th ed., 2012).
103
S.A. Kini v. Union of India, AIR 1985 SC 893 : (1985) 3 SCR 754 : 1985 Supp. SCC 122(¶ 4) ; R.V.
Customs and Excise Commissioner ex parte Cooke and Stevenson, 1 AII ER 1068 (1970, Queen Bench
Division, Divisional Court).
104
Indian legal and Economic forum v. U.O.I (1997) 10 SCC 728.
105
Satish Chandra v. Union of India, AIR 1953 SC 250
106
L Chandra Kumar v. Union of India and others, A.I.R 1997 3 S.C.C 261 (India)
107
S.P. Sampath Kumar v. Union of India, A.I.R. 1987 S.C. 387 (India)
108
Sunil Kumar Rai v. The State of Bihar W.P. (CIVIL) No. 1052 of 2021 (India).
109
Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corpn., 1986 A.I.R. 1980:1985 SCR Supl. (2) 51. See also: Assam
Sanmilita Mahasangha & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors., (2015) 3 SCC 1 (India).
110
A.I.R. 1973 SC 1461 (India).
111
S.P. Gupta v. Union of India, A.I.R 1982 S.C. 149 (India)
112
M Nagaraj v. UOI, A.I.R. 2007 SC 71: (2006) 8 SCC. 212 (India).
113
Kochunni v. State of Mad., A.I.R. 1969 SC 225 (India); Mahendra v. State of U.P., A.I.R. 1963 SC 1019
(India).
114
Chiranjit Lal v. Union of India. (1950) SCR 869: A.I.R. 1951 SC 41. But see Om Prakash v. Ram Kumar,
A.I.R. 1991 SC 409: (1991) 1 SCC 441.
115
Kochunni v. State of Madras. A.I.R. 1959 SC 725 (729): 1959 (Supp-2) SCR 316: (1959) 2 SCA 116
116
A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras, A.I.R. 1955 SC 27: (1950) SCR 88: Ramjilal v. ITO, A.I.R. 1952 SC 97
(1951) SCR 127; Laxmanappa v. UOI, A.I.R. 1955 SC 3: (1955) 1 SCR 769; Bhagwandas v. UOI A.I.R. 1956
SC 175; Daryao v. State of UP, A.I.R. 1961 SC 1457 (1962) 1 SCR 574, Ujjan Bai v. State of UP, A.I.R. 1962
SC 1621 (1963) 1 SCR 778; Fertilizer Corpn. Kamgar Union v. UOI, (1981) 1 SCC 568 A.I.R. 1981 SC 344;
Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. UOI, A.I.R. 1984 SC 802: (1984) 3 SCC 161: (1984) 2 SCR 67, Muneeb-ul-Rehman
v. Govt. of J & K, (1984) 4 SCC 24: A.I.R. 1984 SC 1585; Express Newspaper (P) Ltd. v. UOI, A.I.R. 1986 SC
872: (1986) 1 SCC 133; Mohd. Zahir Khan v. UOI, 1993 (Supp-2) SCC 12; Bodhisatwa v.Subhra
Chakraborthy, A.I.R. 1996 SC 922: (1996) 1 SCC 490.
117
(1986) 1 SCC 133; Mohd. Zahir Khan v. UOI, 1993 (Supp-2) SCC 12; Bodhisatwa v. Subhra Chakraborthy,
A.I.R. 1996 SC 922: (1996) 1 SCC 490.
118
Chiranjit Lal Chowdhary v. UOI, A.I.R. 1951 SC 41: (1950) SCR 869; R.D. Shetty v. International A.I.R.port
Authority, A.I.R. 1979 SC 1628: (1979) 3 SCC 489, Kasturilal v. State of J&K, A.I.R. 1980 SC 1992: (1980) 4
SCC 1: High Court of Judicature of Bombay v. Shirish Kumar, (1997) 6 SCC 339 A.I.R. 1961 SC 1457 : (1962)
1SCR 574.
119
Kochunni v. State of Madras, A.I.R. 1959 SC 725 (729): 1959 (Supp-2) SCR 316: (1959) 2 SCA 116 1959
SCJ 457;State of Mysore v. V.K. Kangan, A.I.R. 1975 SC 2190 (1976) 1 SCR 369: (1976) 2 SCC 895 (para.
16), Raja Jagdambika Pratap Narain Singh v. Central Board of Direct Taxes, A.I.R. 1975SC 1816 (1976) 1 SCR
49: (1975) 4 SCC 578; Ashok v. Collector, A.I.R. 1980 SC 112: (1980) 1 SCR 491 (1980) 1 SCC 180; A.K.
Gopalan v.State of Madras, (1950) SCR 88: A.I.R. 1950 SC 27: 1950 SCJ 174; Somawanti v. State of Punjab,
A.I.R. 1963 SC 151 (165): (1963) 2 SCR 774; Daryao v. State of U.P. A.I.R. 1961 SC 1457 (1461): (1962) 1
SCR 574 (1962) 1 SCJ 702 (paras. 6-8). [See, however, contrary opinion of three Judge Bench in Bishan v.
Govt. of Punjab, (1992) 20 ATC 211 (para. 2) SC];: Tata Iron & Steel Co. v. Sarkar, A.I.R. 1961 SC 65 (68):
(1961) 1 SCR 379, Bishan Das v. State of Punjab, A.I.R. 1961 SC 1570 (1575): (1962) 2 SCR 69: (1961) 2 SCA
456; Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras, (1950) SCR 594 A.I.R. 1950 SC 124: 1950 SCJ 418. But see
Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association v. State of Nagaland, (2006) 1 SCC 496;
Central Bank Retires Association v. Union of India, (2006) 1 SCC 497 P.N. Kumar v. Municipal Corporation of
Delhi, (1987) 4 SCC 609; Louise Fernandez v. Union of India. (1988) I SCC 201; Avinash Chand Gupta v.
State of U.P., (2004) 2 SCC 726, Kanubhai Brahmbatt v. State of Gujarat, A.I.R. 1987 SC 1159 (1989) Supp-2
SCC 310.
120
Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras A.I.R. 1950 S.C. 124 (India).
121
State of Madras v. V.G. Row, A.I.R. 1952 S.C .196 (India).
122
Shantabhai v. State of Maharashtra, A.I.R. 1958 S.C. 532 (India).
123
I.R Colho v. State of Tamil Nadu, (1998) 7 SCC 550.
124
Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, (1973) 4 SCC 225; Smt. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain, 1975
Supp. SCC 1.
125
Waman Rao v. Union of India, (1981) 2 SCC 362.
126
S.R Bommai v. Union of India, (1994) 3 SCC 2.
127
I.R. Coelho (Dead) By Lrs vs State Of Tamil Nadu & Ors on 11 January, 2007
128
I R Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu, (1999) 7 SCC 580 (India).
63) Hence, there is no doubt that if a citizen of Nyayasthan is deterred in any case from
approaching this Court in exercise of his right under art. 32 of the Constitution it would
amount to a serious and direct interference in the administration of justice in the country131,
Hence, it was held by the Apex Court that the Petition filed by the Petitioner, Shanti is
maintainable.
64) In the case in hand, there are challenges on the basis of violation of Articles 14 and 15 of
the Constitution. The Surrogacy Act criminalises the act of choosing surrogacy for
everyone except married couples and a small section of women. The ART Act and the
Surrogacy Act exclude and discriminate, without any rationality, against same-sex couples
and other members of the LGBTQI community, single women (those who are neither
widowed nor divorced, and those who are widowed and/or divorced and less than the age
of 35 or more than 45 years). Also excluded are single men, couples suffering from
secondary infertility, and couples in which either or both partners do not fall within the
prescribed age brackets.
65) The limitations imposed on who can be surrogate mother in terms of Section 2 (zg) read
with Section 4(iii)(b)(I) of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, limit the options available
129
Sripur Paper Mills v. Commissioner of Wealth Tax, A.I.R. 1970 SC 1520
130
A.V. Venkateswaran, Collector of Customs, Bombay v. Ramchand Sobhraj Wadhwani, A.I.R. 1961 SC 1506
131
Arnab Manorajan Goswami v. The State of Maharashtra, Crl. Appl. 742/2020 (India).
66) However, Section 4(iii)(b) (I) of the Act states, “No woman other than an ever-married
woman having a child of her own and between the age of 25-35 on the day of implantation,
shall be a surrogate mother or help in surrogacy by donating her egg or oocyte or
otherwise”.
67) The best eligibility criteria to maximise the chances of finding the best surrogate mother
would be any healthy woman above the age of majority and the needless conditions of
being genetically related, of a particular age, married and already having at least one child
only constrict the universe of available candidates who may otherwise become healthy
surrogate mothers134. The Bill allows for surrogacy only for married couples and to that
extent, excludes the people belonging to the LGBTQ community, live-in couples, and
single, divorced or widowed parents, thereby, criminalising their exercise of reproductive
autonomy in this regard. Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees a fundamental right to
equality135. Likewise, in the instant case, this shall not stand the equality test or the test of
reasonable classification under the Article.
4.2.2 The said provision violates Article 15 of the Constitution of Nyayasthan
68) It is pertinent to note that the eligibility criteria to maximise the chances of finding the best
surrogate mother would be any healthy woman above the age of majority and the needless
conditions of being genetically related, of a particular age, married and already having at
least one child only constrict the universe of available candidates who may otherwise
become healthy surrogate mothers. The Act recognises only altruistic surrogacy, meaning no
remuneration paid to the surrogate apart from expenses that might be prescribed or incurred
132
Karan Balraj Mehta and Anr v. Union of India, (Civil) No. 8848 of 2022
133
Sec 27(2) of the ART Act
134
Id.
135
E.P. Royappa v. State of Tamil Nadu, A.I.R. 1974 S.C. 555.
70) The Petitioners have relied upon in the case of Karan Balraj Mehta and Anr v. Union of
India140, which have stated that commercial surrogacy is the only option available to them.
It is not the domain of the state to interfere with such rights as the constitute the fundamental
rights. It is the prerogative of the persons to decide the mode of parenthood, that is, whether
to have child born naturally or by means of surrogacy.
71) The surrogacy law needs an overhaul as it seems to be out of sync with the progressive thought
of superior constitutional courts, which have always held women’s reproductive autonomy
and every citizen’s procreative rights in the highest esteem141. The principle of autonomy is
enshrined within Article 21 of the Nyayasthan Constitution, which deals with the right to
life and personal liberty142.
72) Right to life and personal liberty under Art. 21 also includes the right to live with human
dignity143and all other aspects that bestow meaning upon the life of a person, make it worth
136
Kathi Ranning v. State of Saurashtra, A.I.R 1952 SC 123.
137
Indira Sawhney v. Union of India, AIR 1993 SC 477.
138
http://www.lawcommunity.in (last visited on 1oth Feb 2023)
139
Subhodh Asthana, Article 15 of the Constitution: Prohibition of discrimination and unreasonable
differentiation, http://www.blogipleaders.in (last visited on 11th Feb 2023)
140
Karan Balraj Mehta and Anr v. Union of India.
141
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India; A.I.R. 1978 S.C. 597(India)
142
Allegeyer v. Louisiana; (1897) 165 US 578(India)
143
Danial Latifi v. Union of India; (2001) 7 S.C.C. 740; Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corpn; (1985) 3
S.C.C. 545; Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India; (1978) 1 S.C.C. 248(India)
73) Furthermore, the Right to Privacy was recognized by the Supreme Court of Nyayasthan as
a part and parcel of the Right to Life and Liberty enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution
of Nyayasthan149 stated about privacy150. As in the case of Sudershan Chopra v. Punjab
State Human Rights Commission and Ors151, Human rights violations in the mental health
context remain significant throughout the world and cannot be explained by a lack of
resources alone152, keeping our right to dignity, freedom and health at centre153. Various
fundamental human rights are interdependent therefore undermining one leads to a poor
impact on others154.
74) Likewise, in the instant case, the provisions of the Surrogacy Regulation Act which
restricted the option of becoming surrogate mother to only ever married women aged
between 25 and 35 years having a child of her own in unconstitutional as it is in violation
of Article 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of Nyayasthan. The counsel humbly contended
that all these provisions is unconstitutional.
144
Francis Coralie Mullin v. Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi;(1981) 1 S.C.C. 608; Maneka Gandhi v.
Union of India; (1978) 1 S.C.C. 248(India)
145
Ammini E.D. v. Union of India; A.I.R. 1995 Ker 252.
146
Francis Coralie Mullin v. Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi; (1981) 1 S.C.C. 608(India)
147
Chameli Singh v. State of U.P.; A.I.R. 1996 S.C. 1051(India)
148
Kartar Singh v. State of Punjab; A.I.R. 1961 S.C. 456(India)
149
Justice K.S. Puttuswamy (Retd) v. Union of India and Ors; (2017) 10 S.C.C. 1
150
Id.
151
Sudershan Chopra v. Punjab State Human Rights Commission and Ors, CWP 21104 OF 2020(India)
152
Puras D, Gooding P. Mental health and human rights in the 21st century. World Psychiatry. (2019) 18:42–3.
doi: 10.1002/wps.20599
153
World Health Organization. Ethical Considerations in Developing a Public Health Response to Pandemic
Influenza (2007).
154
Institute of Medicine (US) Forum on Microbial Threats. Ethical and Legal Considerations in Mitigating
Pandemic Disease: Workshop Summary (2007). Available online at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK54169/
PRAYER
In the lights of issues raised, arguments advanced and authorities cited, it is most humbly
submitted that the court may please adjudge and declare that:
AND/OR
Pass any other order, writ or directions that deems fit in the interest of justice, equity
and good faith
Place:
Date:
SD/-