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The human transplant act 1994

Maharashtra · state statute
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 THE TRANSPLANTATION OF HUMAN ORGANS AND TISSUES ACT, 1994 
_______ 
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
_______ 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
SECTIONS 
1. Short title, application and commencement. 
2. Definitions. 
 
CHAPTER II 
AUTHORITY FOR THE REMOVAL OF HUMAN ORGANS OR TISSUES OR BOTH 
3. Authority for removal of human organs or tissues or both. 
4. Removal of human organs or tissues or both not to be authorised in certain cases. 
5. Authority for removal of human organs or tissues or both in case of unclaimed bodies in hospital  
or prison. 
6. Authority for removal of human organs  or tissues or both  from bodies sent for post -mortem 
examination for medico-legal or pathological purposes. 
7. Preservation of human organs or tissue or both. 
8. Savings. 
9. Restrictions on removal and transplantation of human organs or tissues or both. 
 
CHAPTER III 
REGULATION OF HOSPITALS 
10. Regulation of hospital conducting the removal, storage or tran splantation of human organs  or 
tissue or both. 
11. Prohibition of removal or transplantation of human organs or tissues or both for any purpose 
other than therapeutic purpose. 
12. Explaining effects, etc., to donor and recipient. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY 
13. Appropriate Authority. 
13A. Advisory Committees to advise Appropriate Authority. 
13B. Powers of Appropriate Authority. 
13C. National Human Organs or tissues or both and Tissues Removal and Storage Network. 
13D. National registry. 
CHAPTER V 
REGISTRATION OF HOSPITALS 
14. Registration of hospitals engaged in removal, storage or transplantation of human organs  or 
tissues or both. 
14A. Registration of Tissue Bank. 
15. Certificate of registration. 
16. Suspension or cancellation of registration. 
17. Appeals. 
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CHAPTER VI 
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 
SECTIONS 
18. Punishment for removal of human organ without authority. 
19. Punishment for commercial dealings in human organs. 
19A. Punishment for illegal dealings in human tissues. 
20. Punishment for contravention of any other provision of this Act. 
21. Offences by companies. 
22. Cognizance of offences. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
MISCELLANEOUS 
23. Protection of action taken in good faith. 
24. Power to make rules. 
25. Repeal and savings. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
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THE TRANSPLANTATION OF 3[HUMAN ORGANS AND TISSUES] ACT, 1994 
ACT NO. 42 OF 1994 
[8th July, 1994.] 
An Act to provide for the regulation of removal, storage and  transplantation of                                   
1[human organs and tissues for therapeutic purposes and for the prevention of commercial 
dealings in human organs and tissues ] and for matters connected therewith or incidental 
thereto. 
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the regulation of removal,  storage and transplantation o f 
2[human organs or tissues or both] for therapeutic purposes and for the prevention of commercial dealings 
in 2[human organs or tissues or both]; 
AND  WHEREAS  in  Parliament has no power to make  laws  for  the States with respect to any of the 
matters aforesaid except as provided in articles 249 and 250 of the Constitution; 
AND  WHEREAS  in pursuance of clause (1) of article  252  of  the Constitution,  resolutions  have been 
passed by all the Houses  of  the Legislatures of the States of Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra to  
the  effect  that the matters aforesaid should be regulated  in  those  States by Parliament by law; 
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Forty-fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, application and commencement .—(1) This Act may be  called the Transplantation of 
3[Human Organs and Tissues] Act, 1994. 
(2)  It  applies,  in  the first instance, to the  whole  of  the  States  of Goa, Himachal Pradesh and 
Maharashtra and to all the  Union  territories  and it shall also apply to such other State which  adopts  this  
Act  by  resolution passed in that behalf under  clause  (1)  of article 252 of the Constitution. 
(3)  It  shall  come into force in the States  of  Goa,  Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra and in all the 
Union territories on such  date 4 as  the  Central Government may, by notification, appoint and  in  any  
other  State which adopts this Act un der clause (1) of article 252  of  the Constitution, on the date of such 
adoption; and any  reference  in this  Act  to the commencement of this Act shall, in relation  to  any State 
or Union territory, means the date on which this Act comes into force in such State or Union territory. 
2. Definitions.—In  this  Act,  unless  the   context   otherwise requires,— 
(a)  “advertisement”  includes  any  form  of   advertising  whether  to  the public generally or to 
any  section  of  the public or, individually to selected persons; 
(b)  “Appropriate Authority” means the Appropriate Authority appointed under section 13; 
(c)  “Authorisation Committee” means the committee constituted under clause (a) or clause (b) of                   
sub-section (4) of section 9; 
(d)  “brain-stem  death”   means  the  stage  at  which   all  functions of the brain -stem have 
permanently and irreversibly ceased  and is so certified under sub-section (6) of  section 3; 
(e)  “deceased person” means a person in whom permanent disappearance  of  all  evidence of life 
occurs,  by  reason  of   brain-stem  death or in a cardio -pulmonary sense, at any  time  after live birth 
has taken place; 
                                                           
1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2011, s. 2, for “human organs for therapeutic purposes and for the prevention of commercial dealings in 
human organs” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014).  
2. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “human organs” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014).  
3. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “Human Organs” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
4. 4th February, 1995, vide Notification No. S.O. 80(E), dated the 4th February, 1995, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, 
sec. 3(ii). 
 
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(f)  “donor” means any person, not less than eighteen  years of age, who voluntarily authorises the 
removal of any of his  human  organs for therape utic purposes under sub -section (1) or                      
sub-section (2) of section 3; 
(g)  “hospital” includes  a nursing home,  clinic,  medical centre,  medical  or  teaching  institution  
for  therapeutic purposes and other like institution; 
(h)  “human organ”  means any part of a human body consisting  of  a structured arrangement of 
tissues which, if wholly,  removed, cannot be replicated by the body; 
 1[(ha) “Human Organ Retrieval Centre” means a hospital,— 
 (i) which has adequate facilities for treating seriously ill patients who can be potential 
donours of organs in the event of death; and  
(ii) which is registered under sub-section (1) of section 14 for retrieval of human organs; 
(hb) “minor” means a person who has not completed the age of eighteen years;] 
            2[(i) “near relative”  means spouse, son, dau ghter, father, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, 
grandmother, grandson or granddaughter;] 
 (j)  “notification”  means a notification  published  in  the Official Gazette; 
(k)   “payment”   means payment in money or money’ s worth  but  does not include any payme nt 
for defraying or reimbursing— 
(i) the cost of removing, transporting or  preserving the 3[human organ or tissue or both] to be 
supplied; or 
(ii)  any  expenses  or loss of earnings incurred by a  person so far as reasonably and directly  
attributable to his supplying any human organ from his body; 
(l)  “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under  this  Act; 
(m) “recipient”  means a person into whom any  3[human  organ  or tissue or both]  is, or is 
proposed to be, transplanted; 
(n)   “registered  medical  practitioner”   means  a   medical  practitioner    who   possesses   any   
recognised  medical qualification  as defined in  clause ( h) of section 2  of  the  Indian  Medical 
Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956) , and who is enrolled  on  a  State  Medical  Register  as defined in 
clause  (k)  of  that section; 
(o) “therapeutic purposes”  means systematic  treatment  of  any  disease or the measures to 
improve health  according  to any particular method or modality; 4*** 
5[(oa) “tissue”  means a group of cells , except blood , performing a particular function in the 
human body; 
(ob) “Tissue Bank” means a facility registered under section 14A  for carrying out any activity 
relating to the recovery, screening, testing, processing, storage and distribution of tissues, but does not 
to include a Blood Bank;] 
 (p) “transplantation” means the grafting of any human organ  from  any  living  person or 
deceased person  to  some  other living person for therapeutic purposes; 
 5[(q) “transplant co -ordinator” means a person appointed by the hospital for co -ordinating all 
matters relating to removal or transplantation of human organs or tissues or both and fo r assisting the 
authority for removal of human organs  in accordance with the provisions of sections 3.] 
 
                                                           
1. Ins. by Act 16 of 2011, s. 5 (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
2. Subs. by s. 5, ibid., for clause (i) (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
3. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “human organ” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
4. The word “and” omitted by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
5. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
 
 
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CHAPTER II 
AUTHORITY FOR THE REMOVAL OF 1[HUMAN ORGANS OR TISSUES OR BOTH] 
3. Authority  for removal of 1[human organs or tissues or both] .—(1) Any donor may, in  such  
manner  and  subject to such conditions as  may  be  prescribed,  authorise  the  removal, before his death, 
of any 2[human organ or tissue or both]  of  his body for therapeutic purposes. 
 3[(1A) For the purpose of removal, storage or transplantation of such human organs or tissues or both, 
as may be prescribed, it shall be the duty of the registered medical practitioner working in a hospital, in 
consultation with transplant co-ordinator, if such transplant co-ordinator is available,— 
(i) to ascertain from the person admitted to the Intensive Care Unit or from his near relative that 
such person had authorised at any time before his death the removal of any human organ or tissue or 
both of his body under sub-section (2), then the hospital shall proceed to obtain the documentation for 
such authorisation; 
(ii) where no such authority as referred to in sub -section (2) was made by such person, to make 
aware to that person or near relative for option to authorise or decline for donation of                           
human organs or tissues or both; 
(iii) to require the hospital to inform in writing to the Human Organ Removal Centre for removal, 
storage or transplantation of human organs or tissues or both of the donor identified in                 
clauses (i) and (ii) in such manner as may be prescribed 
(1B) The duties mentioned under clauses ( i) to ( iii) of sub -section ( 1A) from such date, as may  be 
prescribed, shall also apply in the case of a registered medical practitioner working in an Intensive Care 
Unit in a hospital which is not registered under this Act for the purpose of removal, storage or 
transplantation of human organs or tissues or both.] 
(2)  If  any donor had, in writing and in the presence of two  or  more  witnesses                                             
(at  least one of whom is a  near  relative  of  such  person),  unequivocally authorised at any time before 
his  death,  the  removal  of  any  human  organ  of his  body,  after  his  death,  for  therapeutic  purposes, 
the person lawfully in possession of  the  dead body of the donor shall, unless he has any reason to believe 
that  the  donor  had  subsequently revoked the authorit y aforesaid, grant  to  a  registered  medical  
practitioner all reasonable  facilities  for  the  removal,  for therapeutic purposes, of that 2[human organ or 
tissue or both] from the  dead body of the donor. 
(3)  Where  no  such authority as is referred to  in  sub-section (2), was made by any person before his 
death but no objection was also expressed  by such person to any of his 1[human organs or tissues or both]  
being used  after  his death for therapeutic purposes, the person lawfully in  possession  of  the dead body 
of such person may, unless he has reason to  believe  that any near relative of the  deceased person has 
objection to any of  the  deceased  person’ s  1[human  organs  or tissue s or both]  being  used  for   
therapeutic purposes, authorise the removal of any 2[human organ or tissue or both] of the deceased 
person for its use for  therapeutic purposes. 
(4)  The authority given under sub -section ( 1) or sub -section ( 2) or,  as the case may be,                          
sub-section ( 3) shall be  sufficient  warrant  for the removal, for therapeutic purposes, of the 2[human 
organ or tissue or both] ; but  no  such  removal  shall be made by any person other than  the  registered  
medical practitioner: 
 3[Provided that a technician possessing such quali fications and experience, as may be prescribed, 
may enucleate a cornea.] 
(5)  Where  any 2[human organ or tissue or both]  is to be removed from the body  of  a  deceased  
person,  the registered medical practitioner  shall  satisfy  himself,  before such removal, by a personal 
examination of  the  body  from  which any 2[human organ or tissue or both] is to be removed, that life is 
extinct  in  such body or, where it appears to be a case of brain -stem death,  that  such death has been 
certified under  sub-section (6). 
(6)  Where  any 2[human organ or tissue or both] is to be removed from the body  of  a   person in the 
event of his brain-stem death, no such removal shall  be undertaken  unless such death is certified, in such 
                                                           
1. Subs. by Act of 16 of 2011, s. 4, for “human organs” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
2. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “human organ” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
3. Ins. by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
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form and  in  such manner and on satisfaction of such conditions and requirements as  may be  prescribed,  
by  a  Board of medical  experts  consisting  of  the following, namely:— 
(i)  the  registered medical practitioner in charge  of  the  hospital in which brain -stem death has 
occurred; 
(ii) an independent registered medical practitioner, being a  specialist,  to  be  nominated  by  the  
registered   medical  practitioner specified in clause ( i), from the panel of names  approved by the 
Appropriate Authority; 
(iii)  a  neurologist or a neuros urgeon to be  nominated  by  the registered medical practitioner 
specified in clause  (i), from   the  panel  of  names  approved  by  the   Appropriate  Authority: 1*** 
 2[Provided that where a neurologist or a neurosurgeon is not available, the registered medical 
practitioner may nominate an independent registered medical practitioner, being a surgeon or a 
physician and an anaesthetist or intensivist subject to the conditio n that they are not members of the 
transplantation team for the concerned recipient and to such conditions as may be prescribed;] 
(iv)  the registered medical practitioner treating the person whose brain-stem death has occurred. 
(7)  Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), where  brain-stem  death  of  any person, 
less than eighteen  years  of  age,  occurs  and is certified under sub -section (6), any of the parents  of  the  
deceased  person  may give authority, in such form  and  in  such  manner  as may be prescribed, for the 
removal of any 3[human organ or tissue or both]  from the body of the deceased person. 
4. Removal of 4[human organs or tissues or both] not to be authorised in certain cases. —(1) No 
facilities shall be granted under sub-section ( 2) of section 3 and no authority shall be given under                  
sub-section (3) of that  section for the removal of any 3[human organ or tissue or both] from the body of a 
deceased person, if the person required to grant such facilities , or empowered to  give such authority, has 
reason to believe that an inquest may be  required  to be held in relation to such body in pursuance of the 
provisions  of any law for the time being in force. 
(2) No authority for the removal of any 3[human organ or tissue or both] from the body of a deceased 
person shall be given  by a person to whom such body has been entrusted solely for the purpose of 
interment, cremation or other disposal. 
5. Authority for  removal of 4[human organs or tissues or both] in  case  of  unclaimed bodies in 
hospital or  prison.—(1) In the case of a dead body lying in  a  hospital or prison and not claimed by any 
of the near relatives  of the  deceased  person within forty-eight hours from the  time  of  the  death  of the 
concerned person, the authority for the removal  of  any  3[human  organ or tissue or both]  from  the dead 
body which so remains  unclaimed  may  be  given,  in the prescribed form, by the person in charge, for 
the  time  being,  of the management or control of the ho spital or prison, or  by  an  employee of such 
hospital or prison authorised in this  behalf  by the person in charge of the management or control thereof. 
(2)  No authority shall be given under sub-section (1) if the person empowered to give such authority 
has reason to believe that any  near relative of the deceased person is likely to claim the dead  body even 
though such near relative has not come forward to claim the  body of the deceased person within the time 
specified in sub-section (1). 
6. Authority fo r removal of 4[human organs  or tissues or both ] from bodies sent  for                     
post-mortem examination for medico -legal or pathological purposes .—Where the body of a person 
has been sent for post-mortem examination— 
(a) for medico-legal purposes by reason of the death of  such  person having been caused by accident 
or any other  unnatural cause; or 
 (b) for pathological purposes,  
                                                           
1. The word “and” omitted by Act 16 of 2011, s. 6 (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
2. Ins. by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
3. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “human organ” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “human organs” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
 
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the person competent under this Act to give authority for the  removal of  any  1[human  organ or tissue or 
both] from such dead body may, if  he  has  reason  to  believe that such 1[human organ or tissue or both] 
will not be required for the purpose for  which  such body has been sent for post -mortem  examination,  
authorise the  removal,  for ther apeutic purposes, of that 1[human  organ  or tissue or both]   of  the  
deceased person provided that he is satisfied that the deceased person  had  not ex pressed,  before his 
death, any objection to any  of  his 2[human organs or tissues or both] being used, for therapeutic purposes 
after his death  or,  where  he  had granted an authority for the use of any  of  his  2[human organs or 
tissues or both ] for therapeutic purposes, after his death, such authority  had  not been revoked by him 
before his death. 
7. Preservation  of 2[human organs or tissues or both].—After the removal of  any 1[human organ 
or tissue or both] from  the  body  of  any   person,  the   registered   medical  practitioner  shall take such 
steps for the preservation of the  1[human organ or tissue or both] so removed as may be prescribed. 
8. Savings.—(1) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of   this Act shall be construed as rendering 
unlawful any dealing with the body  or with   any part of the body of a deceased person if such dealing 
would have been lawful if this Act had not been passed. 
(2)  Neither  the  grant  of any facility or  authority  for  the  removal  of  any  1[human organ or tissue 
or both] from the body of a  deceased  person  in  accordance  with  the provisions of this Act  nor the 
removal  oil  any  1[human  organ or tissue or both] from the body of a deceased person in pursuance  of  
such authority  shall be deemed to be an offence punishable  under  section  297 of the Indian  Penal Code 
(45 of 1860). 
9. Restrictions on removal and transplantation of 2[human organs or tissues or both].—(1) Save 
as otherwise provided in sub-section (3), no 1[human organ or tissue or both] removed from the body of a 
donor before his death shall be transplanted into a  recipient unless the donor is a near relative of the 
recipient. 
 3[(1A) Where the donor or the recipient being near relative is a foreign national, prior approval of the 
Authorisation Committee shall be required before removing or transplanting h uman organ or tissue or 
both: 
Provided that the Authorisation Committee shall not approve such removal or transplantation if the 
recipient is a foreign national and the donor is an Indian national unless they are near relatives. 
(1B) No human organs or tissues or both shall be removed f rom the body of a minor before his death 
for the purpose of transplantation except in the manner as may be prescribed. 
(1C) No human organs or tissues or both shall be removed from the body of a mentally challenge 
person before his death for the purpose of transplantation. 
Explanation.—For the purpose of this sub-section,— 
(i) the expression “mentally challenged person” includes a person with mental illness or mental 
retardation, as the case may be; 
(ii) the  expression “mental illness” includes dementia, schizophrenia and such other mental 
condition that makes a person intellectually disables; 
(iii) the expression “mental retardation” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in               
clause (r) of section 2 of the Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Right  and 
Full Participation) Act, 1995 (1 of 1996).] 
(2)  Where  any donor authorises the removal of any of his  2[human organs or tissues or both]   after  
his  death under sub-section (2) of section 3 or  any person competent or empowered to give authority for 
the removal of any  1[human organ or tissue or both]  from the body of any deceased person authorises  
such  removal,  the  1[human organ or t issue or both] may be removed and transplanted into the body of  
any recipient who may be in need of such 1[human organ or tissue or both]. 
(3)  If  any  donor authorises the removal of any  of  his  2[human organs or tissues or both] before  his  
death  under  sub-section (1)  of  section  3  for transplantation  into  the body of such recipient, not  being  
a  near  relative,  as  is  specified by the donor by reason  of  affection  or  attachment  towards  the 
                                                           
1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2011, s. 4 for “human organ” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
2. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “human organs” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
3. Ins. by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
 
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recipient or for any oth er  special  reasons,  such  1[human  organ or tissue or both]  shall not be removed 
and transplanted  without  the prior approval of the Authorisation Committee.  
2[(3A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), where— 
(a) any donor has agreed to make a donation of his human organ or tissue or both before his death 
to a recipient, who is his near relative, but such donor is not compatible biologically as a donor for the 
recipient; and  
(b) the second donor has agreed to ma ke a donation of his human organ or tissue or both before 
his death to such recipient, who is his near relative, but such donor is not compatible biologically as a 
donor for such recipient; then 
(c) the first donor who is compatible biologically as a donor  for the second recipient and the 
second donor is compatible biologically as a d onor of a human organ or tissue  or both for the first 
recipient and both donors and both recipients in the aforesaid group of donor and recipient have 
entered into a single agreement to donate and receive such human organ or tissue or both according to 
such biological compatibility in the group,  
the removal and transplantation of the human organ or tissue or both, as per the agreement referred to 
above, shall not be done without prior approval of the Authorisation Committee.] 
3[(4) (a)   The composition of the Authorisation Committee shall be such as may be prescribed by the 
Central Government from time to time. 
 (b) The State Government and the Union territories shall constitut e, by notification, one or more 
Authorisation Committee consisting of such members as may be nominated by the State Government and 
the Union territories on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the notifi cation for the purposes 
of this section.] 
(5)  On  an  application jointly made, in such form and  in  such  manner  as  may  be prescribed, by 
the donor and  the  recipient,  the  Authorisation  Committee  shall, after holding an  inquiry  and  after  
satisfying  itself  that  the applicants have complied  with  all  the  requirements of this Act and tile rules 
made thereunder, grant to  the  applicants  approval for the remo val and transplantation of the human 
organ. 
(6)  If, after the inquiry and after giving an opportunity to the  applicants  of be ing heard, the 
Authorisation Committee  is  satisfied  that  the applicants have not complied with the requirements  of  
this Act  and  the  rules  made thereunder, it shall,  for  reasons  to  be  recorded in writing, reject the 
application for approval. 
CHAPTER III 
REGULATION OF HOSPITALS 
10. Regulation of  hospitals conducting the removal,  storage or  transplantation of                    
4[human organs or tissues or both].—(1) On and from the commencement of this Act,—  
(a)  no hospital, unless registered under this  Act,  shall  conduct, or associate with, or help in, the 
removal,  storage or transplantation of any 1[human organ or tissue or both;] 
(b)   no  medical  practitioner  or any  other  person  shall  conduct,  or cause to be conducted, or 
aid in  conducting  by  himself or through any other person, any activity relating to  the removal, 
storage or transplantation of any 1[human organ  or tissue or both]  at a place other than a place 
registered under this Act; 5*** 
                                                           
1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2011, s. 4, for “human organ” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
2. Ins. by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
3. Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “human organs” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
5. The word “and” omitted by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014) 
 
 
 
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(c)   no  place  including a hospital registered  under  sub-section (1)   of  section 15 shall be used 
or cause  to  be  used   by   any   person  for   the   removal,   storage   or  transplantation  of  any 
1[human organ or tissue or both] except  for  therapeutic purposes; 2[and] 
 3[(d) no Tissues Bank, unless registered under this Act, shall carry out any activity relating to the 
recovery, screening, testing, processing, storage and distribution of tissues.] 
(2)  Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section (1), the eyes or the ears may be removed at 
any place from the dead body of any donor, for therapeutic purposes, by a registered medical practitioner. 
Explanation.—For the purposes of   this sub-section, “ears” includes ear drums and ear bones. 
11. Prohibition of removal or transplantation of 4[human organs  or tissue s or both]  for any  
purpose other than the rapeatic purposes.— No donor and no  person empowered  to give authority for 
the removal of any human organ  shall  authorise  the removal of any 1[human organ or tissue or both] for 
any purpose  other  than therapeutic purposes. 
12. Explaining   effects,   etc.,  to  donor  and   recipient .— No registered  medical  practitioner  
shall  undertake  the  removal   or  transplantation  of any 1[human organ or tissue or both]  unless he has 
explained,  in  such  manner  as may be prescribed, all possible effects, complications  and  hazards  
connected with the removal and transplantation to  the  donor and the recipient respectively.  
CHAPTER IV 
APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY 
13. Appropriate  Authority.—(1)  The  Central  Government   shall  appoint,  by  notification,  one  
or  more  officers  as   Appropriate   Authorities for each of the Union territories for the purposes of this   
Act. 
(2)  The State Government shall appoint, by notification, one or  more officers as Appropriate 
Authorities for the purposes of this Act. 
(3)  The Appropriate Authority shall perform the following functions, namely:— 
(i) to grant registration under sub -section ( 1) of  section  15  or  renew  registration under               
sub-section  (3)  of  that section; 
(ii) to suspend or cancel registration under sub-section (2) of section 16; 
 5[(iii) to enforce such standards, as may be prescribed,— 
(A) for hospitals engaged in the removal, storage or transplantation of any human organ: 
(B) for Tissue Banks engaged in recovery, screening, testing, processing, storage and 
distribution of tissues;] 
(iv) to  investigate any complaint of breach of any  of  the  provisions  of this Act or any of the 
rules  made  thereunder and take appropriate action; 
 6[(iva) to inspect Tissue Banks periodically;] 
(v)  to  inspect hospitals periodically for  examination  of  the quality of transplantation and the   
follow-up medical care to  persons  who have undergone transplantation  and  persons  from whom 
organs are removed; and 
(vi) to undertake such other measures as may be prescribed. 
 7[13A. Advisory Committees to advise Appropriate Authority.—(1) The Central Government and 
and the State Governments, as the case may be, by notification, shall constitute an Advisory Committee 
for a period of two years to aid and advise the Appropriate Authority to discharge its functions. 
                                                           
1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2011, s. 4, for “human organ” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
2. The word “and” ins by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
3. Ins. by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “human organs” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
5. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for clause (iii) (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
6. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
7. Ins. by s. 10, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
10 
 
(2) The Advisory Committee shall consist of— 
(a) one administrative expert not below the rank of Secretary to the State Government, to be 
nominated as Chairperson of the Advisory Committee; 
(b) two medical experts having such qualifications as may be prescribed; 
(c) one officer not below the rank of a Joint  Director to represent the Ministry or Department 
of Health and Family Welfare, to be designated as Member-Secretary; 
(d) two eminent social workers of high social standing and integrity, one of whom shall be 
from amongst representatives of women’s organisation; 
(e) one legal expert who has held the position of an Additional District Judge or equivalent; 
(f) one person to represent non-governmental organisations or associations which are working 
in the field of organ or tissue donations or human rights; 
(g) one specialist in the field of human organ transplantation, provided he is not a member of 
the transplantation team. 
(3) The terms and conditions for appointment to the Advisory Committee shall be such as may be 
prescribed by the Central Government. 
13B. Powers of Appropriate Authority .—The Appropriate Authority shall for the purposes of this 
Act have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908  (5 of 1908) 
and, in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:— 
(a) summoning of any person who is in possession of any information relating to violation of the 
provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder; 
(b) discovery and production of any document or material object; 
(c) issuing search warrant for a ny place suspected to be indulging in unauthorised removal, 
procurement or transplantation of human organs or tissues or both; and 
(d) any other matter which may be prescribed. 
13C. National Human Organs  and Tissues Removal and Storage Network. —The Central  
Government may, by notification, establish a National Human Organs  and Tissues Removal and Storage 
Network at one or more places and Regional Network in such manner and to perform such f unctions, as 
may be prescribed. 
13D. National registry. —The Central Government shall maintain a national registry of the donors 
and recipients of human organs  and tissues and such registry shall have such information as may be 
prescribed to an ongoing evaluation of the scientific and clinical status of human organs and tissue.] 
CHAPTER V 
REGISTRATION OF HOSPITALS 
14. Registration  of  hospital s  engaged  in  removal,  storage  or  transplantation of                       
1[human organs or tissues or both].—(1) 2[No hospital (including Human Organ Retrieval Centre)] shall  
commence  any  activity  relating to the removal, storage or transplantation  of  any  3[human  organ or 
tissue or both] for therapeutic purposes after the commencement  of  this Act unless such hospital is duly 
registered under this Act: 
Provided   that   every  hospital  engaged,  either   partly   or  exclusively,  in  any  activity relating to 
the  removal,  storage  or  transplantation   of   any  3[human  organ  or tissue or both]   for   therapeutic   
purposes immediately  b efore  the  commencement of this  Act,  shall  apply  for  registration within           
sixty days from the date of such commencement:  
Provided  further  that every hospital  engaged  in  any  activity  relating to the removal, storage or 
transplantation of any 3[human organ or tissue or both] shall  cease  to engage in any such activity on the  
expiry  of  three  months from the date of commencement of this Act unless such  hospital   has  applied  
for registration  and is go  registered  or  till  such application is disposed of, whichever is earlier. 
                                                           
1. Subs. by Act of 16 of 2011, s. 4, for “human organs” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
2. Subs. by s. 11, ibid., for “No hospital” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
3. Subs. by s. 4,  ibid., for “human organ” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
11 
 
(2)  Every applicatio n for registration under sub -section ( 1) shall be made to the Appropriate 
Authority in such form and in such manner and shall be accompanied by such fees as may be prescribed. 
(3)  No  hospital shall be registered under thi s Act  unless  the  Appropriate Authority is satisfied that 
such hospital is in a position  to  provide  such specialised ser vices and facilities, possess) such skilled 
manpower and equipments and maintain such standards as may  be prescribed. 
 1[(4) No hospital shall be registered under this Act, unless the Appropriate Authority is satisfied that 
such hospital has appointed a transplant coordinator having such qualifications and experience as may be 
prescribed.] 
 2[14A. Registration of Tissue Bank .—(1) N o Tissue Bank shall, after the commence ment of the 
Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act, 2011 (16 of 2011), commence any activity relating 
to the recovery, screening, testing, processing, storage and distribu tion of tissues unless it is dul y 
registered under this Act: 
Provided that any facility engaged, either party or exlusively, in any activity relating to the recovery, 
screening, testing, processing, storage and distribution of tissues immediately before the commencement 
of the Transplantat ion of Human Organs  (Amendment) Act, 2011  (16 of 2011) , shall apply for 
registration as Tissues Bank within sixty days from the date of such commencement: 
Provided further that such facility shall cease to engage in any such activity on the expiry of three  
months from the date of commencement of the Transplantation of Human Organs  (Amendement)               
Act, 2011 (16 of 2011) , unless such Tissue Bank has applied for registration and is so registered, or till 
such application is disposed of, whichever is earlier. 
(2) Every application for registration under sub -section ( 1) shall be made to the Appropriate 
Authority in such form and in such manner and shall be accompanied by such fees as may be prescribed. 
(3) No Tissue Bank shall be registered under t his Act unless the Appropriate A uthority is satisfied 
that such Tissue Bank is in a po sition to provide such specialis ed service and facilities, possess such 
skilled manpower and equipments and maintain such standards as may be prescribed.] 
15. Certificate of  registration.—(1) The  Appropriate  Authority shall,  after holding an inquiry and 
after satisfying itself that  the applicant  has complied with all the requirements of this Act and  the   rules  
made  thereunder , 3[grant to the hospital  or to the tissue Bank, as the case may be, ]  a  certificate  of  
registration  in  such  form,  for such period  and  subject  to  such conditions as may be prescribed. 
(2)  If, after the inquiry and after giving an opportunity to the  applicant of being heard, the 
Appropriate Authority is satisfied that  the applicant has not complied wit h the requirement  of this Act  
and the  rules  made thereunder, it shall, for reasons to be  recorded  in  writing, reject the application for 
registration.  
(3)  Every certificate of registra tion shall be renewed in such manner and on payment of such fees as 
may be prescribed. 
16. Suspension   or   ca ncellation   of   registration. —(1)   The   Appropriate Authority may,                
suo motu or on complaint, issue a notice to  any 4[hospital or Tissue Bank, as the case may be ,] to show 
cause why its registration under this Act  should  not be suspended or cancelled for the reasons mentioned 
in the notice. 
(2)  If, after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard  to  the  4[hospital or Tissue Bank, as the 
case may be,] the Appropriate Authority is satisfied that  there  has been  a breach of any of the provisions 
of this Act or the rules  made  thereunder,  it may, without prejudice to any criminal action that  it  may  
take  against such 4[hospital or Tissue Bank, as the case may be,] suspend its registration  for  such period 
as it may think fit or cancel its registration: 
                                                           
1. Ins. by Act 16 of 2011, s. 11 (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
2. Ins. by s. 12, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
3. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for “grant to the hospital” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
4. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for “hospital” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
12 
 
Provided that where the Appropriate Authority is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to 
do in the  public interest, it  may,  for reasons to be recorded in writing, suspend the  registration  of any 
1[hospital or Tissue Bank, as the case may be,] without issuing any notice.  
17. Appeals.—Any person aggrieved by an order of the Authorisation   Committee rejecting an 
application for approval under sub-section (6) of section 9, or any hospital 2[or Tissue Bank, as the case 
may be ,] aggrieved by an order of the Appropriate   Authority rejecting an application for registration 
under  sub-section  (2)  of  section  15  or an order of  suspension  or  cancellation  of  registration  under 
sub-section (2) of section 16, may, within  thirty  days  from the date of the receipt of the order, prefer an 
appeal,  in such manner as may be prescribed, against such order to— 
(i)  the Central Government where the appeal is against  the order of the Authorisation Committee 
constituted under clause  (a)  of sub -section (4) of section 9 or against the order  of  the Appropriate 
Authority appointed under sub-section (1)  of section 13; or 
 (ii) the State Government, where the appeal is against  the  order of the Authorisation Committee 
constituted under clause ( b)  of sub -section (4) of section 9 or against the order  of  the Appropriate 
Authority appointed under sub-section (2)  of section 13. 
CHAPTER VI 
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 
18. Punishment for removal of human organ without authority.—(1) Any person who renders his 
services to or at any hospital and who, for purposes of transplantation, conducts, associates with, or  helps  
in any manner in, the removal of any human organ without authority, shall  be  punishable with 
imprisonment for a term which may extend  to 3[ten years and with fine which may extend to twenty lakh 
rupees]. 
(2)  Where  any  person  convicted under  sub-section  (1)  is  a  registered  medical  practitioner, his 
name shall be reported  by  the  Appropriate  Authority  to the respective State  Medical  Council  for  
taking  necessary  action including the removal of his name  from  the  register  of   the  Council for a 
period of 4[three years] for  the  first offence and permanently for the subsequent offence. 
 5[(3) Any person who renders his se rvices to or at any hospital and who conducts, or associates with 
or helps in any manner in the removal of  human tissue without authority, shall be punishable with 
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine which may extend to five lakh 
rupees.] 
19. Punishment for commercial dealings in human organs.—Whoever— 
(a)  makes or receives any payment for the supply of, or for an offer to supply, any human organ; 
(b)  seeks  to find a person willing to supply  for  payment any human organ; 
(c) offers to supply any human organ for payment; or 
(d)   initiates or negotiates any arrangement involving  the making  of any payment for the supply 
of, or for an offer  to supply, any human organ; 
(e)  takes  part  in the management or control of a body  of  persons, whether a society, firm or 
company, whose activities consist of   or  include  the  initiation  or  negotiation  of   any  arrangement 
referred to in clause (d); or 
(f)  publishes or distributes or causes to be  published  or distributed any advertisement,—            
(a)  inviting  persons  to supply for payment of  any  human organ; 
(b)  offering to supply any human organ for payment; or 
                                                           
1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2011, s. 14, for “hospital” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
2. Ins. by s. 15, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
3. Subs. by s. 16, ibid., for “five years and with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
4. Subs. by s. 16, ibid., for “two years” (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
5. Ins. by s. 16, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-1-2014). 
13 
 
(c)  indicating that the advertiser is willing to  initiate  or negotiate any arrangement referred 
to in clause (d); 
1[(g) abets in the preparation or submission of false documents including giving false affidavits to 
establish that the donor is making the donation of the human organs, as a near relative or by reason of 
affection or attachment towards the recipient, 
shall  be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall  not  be  less  than 2[five  years but which 
may extend to ten years and shall  be  liable  to fine which shal l not be less than twenty lakh  rupees  but 
may extend to one crore rupees]. 
3*   *   *   *   * 
4[19A. Punishment for illegal dealings in human tissues.—Whoever— 
(a) makes or receives any payment for the supply of, or for an of fer to supply, any human tissue; 
or 
(b) seeks to find a person willing to supply for payment and human tissue; or 
(c) offers to supply any human tissue for payment; or 
(d) initiates or negotiates any arrangement involving the making of any payment for the supply 
of, or for an offer to supply, any human tissue; or 
(e) takes  part in the management or control of a body of persons, whether a society, firm or 
company, whose activities consist of or include the initiation or negotiation of any arrangement 
referred to in clause (d); or  
(f) publishes or distributes or causes to be published or distributed any advertisement— 
 (i) inviting persons to supply for payment of any human tissue; or 
(ii) offering to supply any human tissue for payment; or  
(iii) indicating that the advertiser is willing to initiate or negotiate any arrangement referred to 
in clause (d); or 
(g) abets in the preparation or submission of false documents including giving false affidavits to 
establish that the donor is making the donation of the human tissues as a near relative or b y reason of 
affection or attachment towards the recipient, 
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may 
extend to three years and shall be liable to fine which shall not be less than five lakh rupees but which 
may extend to twenty-five lakh rupees.] 
20. Punishment  for contravention of any other 

Excerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.

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