LexaceLexace Ask the AI ›
⚖️ Ask the AI about your situation:🚗 Car Accident💼 Work / Job🏠 Housing / Eviction👪 Family / Divorce📋 Contract Dispute💰 Money Owed

The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994

Maharashtra · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this act
1 
 
 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. 
THE TRANSPLANTATION OF HUMAN ORGANS AND TISSUES ACT, 1994 
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
SECTIONS 
_— 
wwe ee 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
Short title, application and commencement. 
Definitions. 
CHAPTER II 
AUTHORITY FOR THE REMOVAL OF HUMAN ORGANS OR TISSUES OR BOTH 
Authority for removal of human organs or tissues or both. 
Removal of human organs or tissues or both not to be authorised in certain cases. 
Authority for removal of human organs or tissues or both in case of unclaimed bodies in hospital 
or prison. 
Authority for removal of human organs or tissues or both from bodies sent for post-mortem 
examination for medico-legal or pathological purposes. 
Preservation of human organs or tissue or both. 
Savings. 
Restrictions on removal and transplantation of human organs or tissues or both. 
CHAPTER II 
REGULATION OF HOSPITALS 
Regulation of hospital conducting the removal, storage or transplantation of human organs or 
tissue or both. 
Prohibition of removal or transplantation of human organs or tissues or both for any purpose 
other than therapeutic purpose. 
Explaining effects, etc., to donor and recipient. 
CHAPTER IV 
APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY 
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. 
14. 
CHAPTER V 
REGISTRATION OF HOSPITALS 
Registration of hospitals engaged in removal, storage or transplantation of human organs or 
tissues or both. 
14A. Registration of Tissue Bank. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
Certificate of registration. 
Suspension or cancellation of registration. 
Appeals.
2 
 
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. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
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.
3 
 
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). 
 
THE TRANSPLANTATION OF *[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 
‘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 of 
*Thuman organs or tissues or both] for therapeutic purposes and for the prevention of commercial dealings 
in [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.—(/) This Act may be called the Transplantation of 
*[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 (/) 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* as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint and in any 
other State which adopts this Act under clause (/) 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; 
(6) “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 ll 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).
4 
 
(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). 
 
 
(f) “donor” means any person, not less than eighteen years of age, who voluntarily authorises the 
removal of any of his human organs for therapeutic purposes under sub-section (/) 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; 
'[(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 (/) of section 14 for retrieval of human organs; 
(hb) “minor” means a person who has not completed the age of eighteen years; ] 
*T(i) “near relative” means spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, 
grandmother, grandson or granddaughter; ] 
(/) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette; 
(k) “payment” means payment in money or money’s worth but does not include any payment 
for defraying or reimbursing— 
(i) the cost of removing, transporting or preserving the *[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; 
(2) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 
(m) “recipient” means a person into whom any *[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; **** 
*[(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; 
*[(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 for 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 (7) (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).
5 
 
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). 
CHAPTER II 
AUTHORITY FOR THE REMOVAL OF 'THUMAN ORGANS OR TISSUES OR BOTH] 
3. Authority for removal of '[human organs or tissues or both]—(/) Any donor may, in such 
manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, authorise the removal, before his death, 
of any *[human organ or tissue or both] of his body for therapeutic purposes. 
*[(1A4) 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 (7) and (ii) in such manner as may be prescribed 
(1B) The duties mentioned under clauses (i) to (iii) of sub-section (7A) 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 authority aforesaid, grant to a registered medical 
practitioner all reasonable facilities for the removal, for therapeutic purposes, of that [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 '[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 '[human organs or tissues or both] being used for 
therapeutic purposes, authorise the removal of any *[human organ or tissue or both] of the deceased 
person for its use for therapeutic purposes. 
(4) The authority given under sub-section (/) 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 *[human 
organ or tissue or both]; but no such removal shall be made by any person other than the registered 
medical practitioner: 
*[Provided that a technician possessing such qualifications and experience, as may be prescribed, 
may enucleate a cornea. ] 
(5) Where any *[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 *[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 *[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).
6 
 
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). 
 
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 neurosurgeon to be nominated by the registered medical practitioner 
specified in clause (i), from the panel of names approved by the Appropriate Authority: '*** 
*[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 condition 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 *[human organ or tissue or both] from the body of the deceased person. 
4. Removal of “[human organs or tissues or both] not to be authorised in certain cases.—(/) 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 *[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 *[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 “[human organs or tissues or both] in case of unclaimed bodies in 
hospital or prison.—(/) 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 *[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 hospital 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 (/) 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 (J). 
6. Authority for removal of “[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).
7 
 
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). 
 
the person competent under this Act to give authority for the removal of any '[human organ or tissue or 
both] from such dead body may, if he has reason to believe that such '[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 therapeutic purposes, of that '[human organ or tissue or both] of the 
deceased person provided that he is satisfied that the deceased person had not expressed, before his 
death, any objection to any of his *[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 *[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 [human organs or tissues or both].—After the removal of any '[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 '[human organ or tissue or both] so removed as may be prescribed. 
8. Savings.—(/) 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 '[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 '[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 *[human organs or tissues or both].—(/) Save 
as otherwise provided in sub-section (3), no '[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. 
*[(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 human 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. 
(JB) No human organs or tissues or both shall be removed from 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 *[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 '[human organ or tissue or both] from the body of any deceased person authorises 
such removal, the '[human organ or tissue or both] may be removed and transplanted into the body of 
any recipient who may be in need of such '[human organ or tissue or both]. 
(3) If any donor authorises the removal of any of his *[human organs or tissues or both] before his 
death under sub-section (/) 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).
8 
 
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— 
(

Excerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.

‹ Prev All Maharashtra acts Next ›