Centre Flags Age Limit After Sidhu Moosewala's Parents Welcome IVF Baby

Days after late singer Sidhu Moosewala's mother delivered a baby boy at the age of 58, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a notice to the Punjab government regarding the age limit on in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The Centre sought a report from the Bhagwant Mann-led government on the IVF treatment that Moosewala's elderly mother Charan Singh underwent. "Under Section 21(g) of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, the age limit prescribed for a woman going under ART services is between 21-50 years," the notice pointed out, seeking a report from the AAP government.

On March 17, Charan Singh and Balkaur Singh welcomed a baby boy, reportedly conceived via IVF. The Centre's notice quoted a Hindustan Times article which reported that Charan Singh had conceived a baby, a little over a year after Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala, was shot down. 

Centre Seeks Report From Punjab Govt

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in the March 14, 2024, notice that Section 21(g) of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, permits treatments to women aged 21-50. However, since Sidhu Moosewala's mother is reportedly 58 years old, the Centre sought a report from the Punjab government on the matter.

A letter issued by the central government asking the Punjab government for a report according to the law on newborn babies with IVF technology in connection with IVF treatment of #SidhuMooseWala's mother. pic.twitter.com/3ma6vRqCoo

— Parteek Singh Mahal (@parteekmahal) March 20, 2024

AAP Hits Back

The Aam Aadmi Party government of Punjab reacted to the Centre's notice in an X (Twitter) post. The tweet read, "CM Bhagwant Mann always respects the sentiments & dignity of Punjabis, it's the Central Govt that has asked for the documents! Urge the people to have a look at the facts and not to believe in any rumours."

Balkaur Singh Alleges Harassment By Govt 

Moosewala's father Balkaur Singh alleged harassment from the Punjab government regarding the legality of the newborn baby. Two days after the baby was born, he said in an Instagram post, "Due to the blessings of Waheguru, we got our Shubhdeep back. But the government has been harassing me since morning, asking me to furnish documents about the baby. They are questioning me to prove that this child is legal."

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A post shared by Balkaur Singh (@sardarbalkaursidhu)

"I want to request the government, especially Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, to allow for all treatments to be over. I belong here and will come to any place you call me (for questioning)," Singh added. According to the 2021 ART (Regulation) Act, the age limit for IVF in women is 21-50 years and the limit for men is 21–55 years for men.