Madras High Court Cracks Down on Illegal & Unscientific Potency Tests

The Kerala High Court has ruled that the title “Doctor” is not the exclusive property of MBBS doctors. The Court held that the NMC Act does not confer any statutory monopoly over the “Dr” prefix and that qualified physiotherapists and occupational therapists can also use it. The Court dismissed petitions filed by IMA challenging the NCAHP Act and allied health curriculum.

Madras High Court has strongly condemned the routine and mechanical use of potency tests in sexual offence cases, calling them unscientific and illegal. The Court has directed police and courts to stop insisting on potency tests and reaffirmed that such medical examinations have no legal or forensic value in proving or disproving sexual offences.