In the wake of depleting child sex ratio in Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court on past Friday upheld a scheme introduced by Maharashtra government which requires radiologists to install a device in the sonography machines that would help government officials to check female foeticide.

According to the scheme, radiologists are required to install a 'Silent Observer'on their sonography machines which consists of software and a device which allows the district collector's office to directly review the scanned images of the patient.

The scheme was introduced in Kolhapur following an order from the Collector there which the state government wants to implement elsewhere in the state as well.  The scheme, however, was challenged by the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association in the High Court.

"There is no merit in the challenge. The court cannot close its eyes to the decreasing figures of child sex ratio in the state especially in Kolhapur," a division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Rekha Sondur-Baldota said while dismissing the petition.

Appreciating the initiative taken by the collector of Kolhapur, the court said it hoped the scheme brings about a balanced child sex ratio.

The 'silent observer' is part of an initiative introduced by the government in May 2010 to prevent female foeticide and rectify the skewed child sex ratio.

"This device would act as a deterrent and would help track down cases of female foeticide. It is a positive step taken by the Collector which needs to be encouraged," advocate Ahustosh Kumbhakoni, appearing for the Collector, had argued. According to the petitioner, the scheme infringes on a patient's privacy.