August 3, 2026

Section 498A prescribes imprisonment of up to three years and a fine for subjecting a woman to cruelty NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court said Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with cruelty by a husband or his relatives, would also apply to partners in live-in relationships. The top court said the law must evolve with changing social realities and ensure protection for individuals facing harassment in live-in relationships.The bench observed that legal safeguards against cruelty should not be restricted to marriage alone. It also clarified that live-in partners need not necessarily be a man and a woman, recognising that such relationships may take different forms.Section 498A prescribes imprisonment of up to three years and a fine for subjecting a woman to cruelty. The law defines cruelty as conduct likely to drive a woman to suicide, cause serious physical or mental harm, or harassment aimed at coercing unlawful demands for property or valuable security, including dowry.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVivek DubeyA digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police To Not Register Case Against Minor Who Abused PM Modi, Say Sources‘Jihad-Producing Factories’: Taslima Nasreen Speaks On Mosques, Madrasas In Bangladesh; Demands UCCON CAM: Clash Erupts At Pappu Yadav’s Delhi Press Meet, Man Carrying Knife Detained‘Mekedatu Dam Is Permanent Solution’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar After All-Party Meet On Cauvery Water’₹18 Crore Stolen Every Year’ At Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple: Raj Thackeray’s Donation Theft Claim‘Enemy Nations Conspiring To Hurt India’: PM Modi During ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Campaign LaunchIndian Navy Launches Final Diving Support Craft, Completes Indigenous Five Ship ProgrammeMother Of Noida Teen Seeks Protection, FIR Withdrawal After PM Modi’s Appeal For Compassion’Why Do Killings Happen When…’: Farooq Abdullah’s Remarks On Kulgam Terror Attack Spark BJP-NC RowRam Temple Skit Row: Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad Booked123PhotostoriesAt 108, Susan Young Browne takes only one medicine, drives her blue car still: 5 tips from her for a long, healthy, fulfilling life8 delicious no onion, no garlic lunch ideas for flavourful everyday mealsStop throwing away banana peels and mix them with baking soda: The chemistry behind the combination and 3 smart usesAluminium foil isn’t just for cooking: 7 practical ways it quietly solves common household problems5 quiet luxury brands fashion insiders are secretly buying right nowThe return of Madras check: Why this South Indian textile is dominating fashion in 2026Eggs and cholesterol: Are they really bad for your heart, or have we misunderstood one of the world’s most nutritious foods?7 signs you’re confusing loneliness with love (and how to tell the difference)Everyday things most men never think twice about could be quietly damaging sperm health, doctors warnWhich country invented biryani? The fascinating history behind the iconic dish123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingMohammad Hamim MondalWeather TomorrowArpita SarkarAbhijeet Dipke Family FinancesPM ModiNoida Woman ArrestAmit ShahKulgam Terror AttackMumbai Building CollapseStock Market Up

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins
Section 498A prescribes imprisonment of up to three years and a fine for subjecting a woman to cruelty NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court said Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with cruelty by a husband or his relatives, would also apply to partners in live-in relationships. The top court said the law must evolve with changing social realities and ensure protection for individuals facing harassment in live-in relationships.The bench observed that legal safeguards against cruelty should not be restricted to marriage alone. It also clarified that live-in partners need not necessarily be a man and a woman, recognising that such relationships may take different forms.Section 498A prescribes imprisonment of up to three years and a fine for subjecting a woman to cruelty. The law defines cruelty as conduct likely to drive a woman to suicide, cause serious physical or mental harm, or harassment aimed at coercing unlawful demands for property or valuable security, including dowry.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVivek DubeyA digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police To Not Register Case Against Minor Who Abused PM Modi, Say Sources‘Jihad-Producing Factories’: Taslima Nasreen Speaks On Mosques, Madrasas In Bangladesh; Demands UCCON CAM: Clash Erupts At Pappu Yadav’s Delhi Press Meet, Man Carrying Knife Detained‘Mekedatu Dam Is Permanent Solution’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar After All-Party Meet On Cauvery Water’₹18 Crore Stolen Every Year’ At Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple: Raj Thackeray’s Donation Theft Claim‘Enemy Nations Conspiring To Hurt India’: PM Modi During ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Campaign LaunchIndian Navy Launches Final Diving Support Craft, Completes Indigenous Five Ship ProgrammeMother Of Noida Teen Seeks Protection, FIR Withdrawal After PM Modi’s Appeal For Compassion’Why Do Killings Happen When…’: Farooq Abdullah’s Remarks On Kulgam Terror Attack Spark BJP-NC RowRam Temple Skit Row: Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad Booked123PhotostoriesAt 108, Susan Young Browne takes only one medicine, drives her blue car still: 5 tips from her for a long, healthy, fulfilling life8 delicious no onion, no garlic lunch ideas for flavourful everyday mealsStop throwing away banana peels and mix them with baking soda: The chemistry behind the combination and 3 smart usesAluminium foil isn’t just for cooking: 7 practical ways it quietly solves common household problems5 quiet luxury brands fashion insiders are secretly buying right nowThe return of Madras check: Why this South Indian textile is dominating fashion in 2026Eggs and cholesterol: Are they really bad for your heart, or have we misunderstood one of the world’s most nutritious foods?7 signs you’re confusing loneliness with love (and how to tell the difference)Everyday things most men never think twice about could be quietly damaging sperm health, doctors warnWhich country invented biryani? The fascinating history behind the iconic dish123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingMohammad Hamim MondalWeather TomorrowArpita SarkarAbhijeet Dipke Family FinancesPM ModiNoida Woman ArrestAmit ShahKulgam Terror AttackMumbai Building CollapseStock Market Up


Live-in partners can seek protection under Section 498A, says Supreme Court
Section 498A prescribes imprisonment of up to three years and a fine for subjecting a woman to cruelty

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court said Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with cruelty by a husband or his relatives, would also apply to partners in live-in relationships. The top court said the law must evolve with changing social realities and ensure protection for individuals facing harassment in live-in relationships.The bench observed that legal safeguards against cruelty should not be restricted to marriage alone. It also clarified that live-in partners need not necessarily be a man and a woman, recognising that such relationships may take different forms.Section 498A prescribes imprisonment of up to three years and a fine for subjecting a woman to cruelty. The law defines cruelty as conduct likely to drive a woman to suicide, cause serious physical or mental harm, or harassment aimed at coercing unlawful demands for property or valuable security, including dowry.



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NEW DELHI: Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday said he “had complete faith that justice would be done” and “never felt guilty” after a Delhi court acquitted him in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers.Reiterating that the case was a “conspiracy”, the ex-BJP MP said he had maintained from the very beginning that he would “hang myself” if even one of the allegations against him was proved.His remarks came after Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the case.Reacting to the verdict, Brij Bhushan said, “I said this was a conspiracy, and if any of the allegations against me are found to be true, I will hang myself. To this day, I’ve stood by that statement. Today, after almost three years, the court has honorably acquitted me and Vinod… I always stood up for those who were weak, those whose rights were violated.””I had complete faith that justice would be done to me, and I never felt guilty… We were fighting for the junior athletes whose rights were being violated, and I am happy that we won that fight,” he added.Referring to the court’s verdict, the former WFI chief further noted, “The honourable judge said that Brij Bhushan Singh and Vinod Tomar are acquitted with honour. From the very first day, I had said that if even a single allegation against me was proved, I would be ready to face the harshest punishment.”He further noted, “I have not just been acquitted, I have been acquitted with honour… Struggle brings refinement… I have nothing to say to those who were against me.”Calling the verdict a “moment of happiness”, he added, “Today, the court has acquitted us with honour and it is a matter of happiness for me. What I had said on the first day has turned out to be true. I did not know what the other side was thinking, but my first reaction was that the truth would prevail. Today is a moment of happiness.”Brij Bhushan also quoted a verse from the Ramcharitmanas after the judgment saying, “होइहि सोइ जो राम रचि राखा।” (What is meant to be will be, as destined by Lord Ram.)The case stemmed from allegations made by six women wrestlers, following which Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against the former BJP MP on June 15, 2023. He was charged under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.Following protests by the wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in 2023, Delhi Police registered an FIR and later filed a nearly 1,500-page chargesheet against Brij Bhushan, invoking provisions related to sexual harassment, assault or criminal force against a woman, stalking and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesTomar was also named as a co-accused.After hearing final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar had reserved the judgment last month. The proceedings were conducted in a closed courtroom, and August 3 was fixed for pronouncement of the verdict.During the trial, the court heard submissions from senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for the complainants, while the defence was led by advocate Rajiv Mohan, assisted by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati. The court also examined members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the investigating officer before delivering its verdict.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKanchan YadavKanchan Yadav is a writer at The Times of India, where she covers business, politics, international affairs and social issues. Her reporting also focuses on policy, governance and economic developments, with a close lens on how decisions in corridors of power affect everyday lives and community well-being.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police To Not Register Case Against Minor Who Abused PM Modi, Say Sources‘Jihad-Producing Factories’: Taslima Nasreen Speaks On Mosques, Madrasas In Bangladesh; Demands UCCON CAM: Clash Erupts At Pappu Yadav’s Delhi Press Meet, Man Carrying Knife Detained‘Mekedatu Dam Is Permanent Solution’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar After All-Party Meet On Cauvery Water’₹18 Crore Stolen Every Year’ At Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple: Raj Thackeray’s Donation Theft Claim‘Enemy Nations Conspiring To Hurt India’: PM Modi During ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Campaign LaunchIndian Navy Launches Final Diving Support Craft, Completes Indigenous Five Ship ProgrammeMother Of Noida Teen Seeks Protection, FIR Withdrawal After PM Modi’s Appeal For Compassion’Why Do Killings Happen When…’: Farooq Abdullah’s Remarks On Kulgam Terror Attack Spark BJP-NC RowRam Temple Skit Row: Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad Booked123PhotostoriesAt 108, Susan Young Browne takes only one medicine, drives her blue car still: 5 tips from her for a long, healthy, fulfilling life8 delicious no onion, no garlic lunch ideas for flavourful everyday mealsStop throwing away banana peels and mix them with baking soda: The chemistry behind the combination and 3 smart usesAluminium foil isn’t just for cooking: 7 practical ways it quietly solves common household problems5 quiet luxury brands fashion insiders are secretly buying right nowThe return of Madras check: Why this South Indian textile is dominating fashion in 2026Eggs and cholesterol: Are they really bad for your heart, or have we misunderstood one of the world’s most nutritious foods?7 signs you’re confusing loneliness with love (and how to tell the difference)Everyday things most men never think twice about could be quietly damaging sperm health, doctors warnWhich country invented biryani? The fascinating history behind the iconic dish123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingCJP WarningBrij bhushanMadhya Pradesh Baby MurderJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha SinghStock Market Up

NEW DELHI: Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday said he “had complete faith that justice would be done” and “never felt guilty” after a Delhi court acquitted him in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers.Reiterating that the case was a “conspiracy”, the ex-BJP MP said he had maintained from the very beginning that he would “hang myself” if even one of the allegations against him was proved.His remarks came after Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the case.Reacting to the verdict, Brij Bhushan said, “I said this was a conspiracy, and if any of the allegations against me are found to be true, I will hang myself. To this day, I’ve stood by that statement. Today, after almost three years, the court has honorably acquitted me and Vinod… I always stood up for those who were weak, those whose rights were violated.””I had complete faith that justice would be done to me, and I never felt guilty… We were fighting for the junior athletes whose rights were being violated, and I am happy that we won that fight,” he added.Referring to the court’s verdict, the former WFI chief further noted, “The honourable judge said that Brij Bhushan Singh and Vinod Tomar are acquitted with honour. From the very first day, I had said that if even a single allegation against me was proved, I would be ready to face the harshest punishment.”He further noted, “I have not just been acquitted, I have been acquitted with honour… Struggle brings refinement… I have nothing to say to those who were against me.”Calling the verdict a “moment of happiness”, he added, “Today, the court has acquitted us with honour and it is a matter of happiness for me. What I had said on the first day has turned out to be true. I did not know what the other side was thinking, but my first reaction was that the truth would prevail. Today is a moment of happiness.”Brij Bhushan also quoted a verse from the Ramcharitmanas after the judgment saying, “होइहि सोइ जो राम रचि राखा।” (What is meant to be will be, as destined by Lord Ram.)The case stemmed from allegations made by six women wrestlers, following which Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against the former BJP MP on June 15, 2023. He was charged under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.Following protests by the wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in 2023, Delhi Police registered an FIR and later filed a nearly 1,500-page chargesheet against Brij Bhushan, invoking provisions related to sexual harassment, assault or criminal force against a woman, stalking and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesTomar was also named as a co-accused.After hearing final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar had reserved the judgment last month. The proceedings were conducted in a closed courtroom, and August 3 was fixed for pronouncement of the verdict.During the trial, the court heard submissions from senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for the complainants, while the defence was led by advocate Rajiv Mohan, assisted by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati. The court also examined members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the investigating officer before delivering its verdict.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKanchan YadavKanchan Yadav is a writer at The Times of India, where she covers business, politics, international affairs and social issues. Her reporting also focuses on policy, governance and economic developments, with a close lens on how decisions in corridors of power affect everyday lives and community well-being.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police To Not Register Case Against Minor Who Abused PM Modi, Say Sources‘Jihad-Producing Factories’: Taslima Nasreen Speaks On Mosques, Madrasas In Bangladesh; Demands UCCON CAM: Clash Erupts At Pappu Yadav’s Delhi Press Meet, Man Carrying Knife Detained‘Mekedatu Dam Is Permanent Solution’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar After All-Party Meet On Cauvery Water’₹18 Crore Stolen Every Year’ At Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple: Raj Thackeray’s Donation Theft Claim‘Enemy Nations Conspiring To Hurt India’: PM Modi During ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Campaign LaunchIndian Navy Launches Final Diving Support Craft, Completes Indigenous Five Ship ProgrammeMother Of Noida Teen Seeks Protection, FIR Withdrawal After PM Modi’s Appeal For Compassion’Why Do Killings Happen When…’: Farooq Abdullah’s Remarks On Kulgam Terror Attack Spark BJP-NC RowRam Temple Skit Row: Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad Booked123PhotostoriesAt 108, Susan Young Browne takes only one medicine, drives her blue car still: 5 tips from her for a long, healthy, fulfilling life8 delicious no onion, no garlic lunch ideas for flavourful everyday mealsStop throwing away banana peels and mix them with baking soda: The chemistry behind the combination and 3 smart usesAluminium foil isn’t just for cooking: 7 practical ways it quietly solves common household problems5 quiet luxury brands fashion insiders are secretly buying right nowThe return of Madras check: Why this South Indian textile is dominating fashion in 2026Eggs and cholesterol: Are they really bad for your heart, or have we misunderstood one of the world’s most nutritious foods?7 signs you’re confusing loneliness with love (and how to tell the difference)Everyday things most men never think twice about could be quietly damaging sperm health, doctors warnWhich country invented biryani? The fascinating history behind the iconic dish123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD rulePrashant KishorE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingCJP WarningBrij bhushanMadhya Pradesh Baby MurderJeM Operative GirlfriendRuchika SharmaHamim Mondal ArrestWomen Wrestlers Sexual Harassment CaseBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha SinghStock Market Up

Vamsikrishna 0
After hours of meticulous search, there was success For a 19-year-old battling testicular cancer, survival was only one part of the fight. The other was far more personal.After surgeons removed his only remaining testis, a team of 10 specialists at Mumbai’s Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital came together on July 25, 2026 with a singular mission — to comb through the nearly dead organ to finding any surviving sperms.While the surgery to remove the testis was lifesaving, it threatened to end the teenager’s (his identity has been withheld on family’s request) chance of becoming a biological father.The odds that the team of surgeons, urologists, andrologists, fertility specialists and embryologists would find any surviving sperms in the surgically removed testis were daunting. But after hours of meticulous search, there was success — they found 23 viable sperms. The cells were frozen and preserved for future use. What had begun as an attempt to save a life, ended with the hope of a new one taking birth sometime in the future.A childhood conditionThe teen’s medical journey had begun long before his cancer diagnosis. He was born with cryptorchidism (undescended testes) — a condition in which both testes fail to descend into the scrotum before birth and remain inside the abdomen.Since the testes require a cooler environment for normal sperm production, the condition can impair fertility and is also associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer.When he was just a year old, he underwent orchiopexy, a procedure to bring the testes into the scrotum. However, one testis had already sustained irreversible damage and had to be removed. The other was successfully brought down into the scrotum.Some years later, this surviving testis developed swelling. Investigations revealed a large tumour that had affected nearly 95% of the organ. Removing the cancerous testis became essential to save his life. But for the teenager, the surgery carried a devastating consequence — it would permanently end his body’s ability to produce sperms. “His case was extremely challenging. We wanted to explore every possible option to preserve his fertility and give him a chance of biological fatherhood,” said Dr Firuza Parikh, director of IVF at Well Women and Men’s Centre, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital.When every routine option failedBefore the surgery, the patient provided two semen samples. Both were analysed using an advanced AI-assisted sperm detection system.“We have the latest technology to search for sperm in cryptozoospermia — a condition in which sperm are present in extremely low numbers and may not be detected during routine semen analysis, requiring microscopic examination to find them. The technology, the first of its kind in India, was developed in collaboration with the AZ-VUB IVF team in Belgium,” Dr Parikh explained.Yet, despite the advanced analysis, the results brought heartbreaking news — not a single sperm could be located in the two samples. This medical condition is called azoospermia, meaning a person ejaculates a normal-looking fluid, but the fluid contains zero sperm cells.“This was a major setback for us, the family was devastated… now the only option left was to attempt Onco-TESE (oncological testicular sperm extraction) — a specialised fertility preservation technique used in cancer patients,” she said.The team decided to attempt a rare “ex-vivo Onco-TESE”, a procedure in which sperm retrieval is performed after the cancer-affected testis has been surgically removed. The organ is examined outside the body in a controlled laboratory environment to identify any surviving sperm-producing tissue untouched by the tumour.A race against the clockOn July 25, surgical oncologists Dr Raman Deshpande and Dr Soumil Vyas removed the cancer-affected testis. Now, the team had just five to six hours to locate and extract the sperms.A team led by consultant andrologists Dr Rupin Shah and Dr Himanshu Gohil dissected small pieces of tissue surrounding the tumour in search of any surviving tissue. The doctors relied on ultrasound and MRI scans to guide them towards the tiny regions that might still contain viable tissue.These healthy tissues were then sent to the hospital’s IVF laboratory. “Healthy tissue fractions were carefully separated. Once the required tissue fractions were identified, they were placed in a specialised sterile transport medium to maintain tissue viability and preserve any potential viable sperm cells. Prompt processing is critical, as it provides the best chance of preserving any surviving sperm cells.”Embryologists led by Dr Varsha Kuril spent five hours going through the tissues for signs of surviving sperms. When the team identified the first viable sperm cell, they knew they were onto a special moment in medical history. By the time they were done, the team had identified 23 sperms, which were then cryopreserved.Twenty-three shots at fatherhood“Twenty-three may sound like a disappointingly small number in the world of sperm counts, where a healthy male can produce millions of sperm cells. But in this case, every single one was a victory — each cell represented a possibility that cancer had nearly taken away,” said Dr Parikh, adding that doctors “will wait for the time when this young boy gets married and wishes to have children. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThen the sperm will be thawed and used for IVF.”According to Dr Tarang Gianchandani, chief executive officer of the hospital, the procedure marked a significant milestone for the institution. “We have been freezing eggs and ovarian tissue in women with cancer for a long time, but this was the first time that we could get testicular tissue from a testis that was almost entirely destroyed by cancer. And we succeeded only because of our team’s efforts,” she said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police To Not Register Case Against Minor Who Abused PM Modi, Say Sources‘Jihad-Producing Factories’: Taslima Nasreen Speaks On Mosques, Madrasas In Bangladesh; Demands UCCON CAM: Clash Erupts At Pappu Yadav’s Delhi Press Meet, Man Carrying Knife Detained‘Mekedatu Dam Is Permanent Solution’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar After All-Party Meet On Cauvery Water’₹18 Crore Stolen Every Year’ At Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple: Raj Thackeray’s Donation Theft Claim‘Enemy Nations Conspiring To Hurt India’: PM Modi During ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Campaign LaunchIndian Navy Launches Final Diving Support Craft, Completes Indigenous Five Ship ProgrammeMother Of Noida Teen Seeks Protection, FIR Withdrawal After PM Modi’s Appeal For Compassion’Why Do Killings Happen When…’: Farooq Abdullah’s Remarks On Kulgam Terror Attack Spark BJP-NC RowRam Temple Skit Row: Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad Booked123Photostories8 delicious no onion, no garlic lunch ideas for flavourful everyday mealsStop throwing away banana peels and mix them with baking soda: The chemistry behind the combination and 3 smart usesAluminium foil isn’t just for cooking: 7 practical ways it quietly solves common household problems5 quiet luxury brands fashion insiders are secretly buying right nowThe return of Madras check: Why this South Indian textile is dominating fashion in 2026Eggs and cholesterol: Are they really bad for your heart, or have we misunderstood one of the world’s most nutritious foods?7 signs you’re confusing loneliness with love (and how to tell the difference)Everyday things most men never think twice about could be quietly damaging sperm health, doctors warnWhich country invented biryani? The fascinating history behind the iconic dishSamantha Ruth Prabhu just gave maternity fashion the glow-up it was waiting for123Hot PicksBypoll resultsPM ModiBankipur bypoll resultCET CAP Round 1 allotmentRBI FD ruleUS work permit feeE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingMohammad Hamim MondalWeather TomorrowArpita SarkarAbhijeet Dipke Family FinancesPM ModiNoida Woman ArrestAmit ShahKulgam Terror AttackMumbai Building CollapseStock Market Up

After hours of meticulous search, there was success For a 19-year-old battling testicular cancer, survival was only one part of the fight. The other was far more personal.After surgeons removed his only remaining testis, a team of 10 specialists at Mumbai’s Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital came together on July 25, 2026 with a singular mission — to comb through the nearly dead organ to finding any surviving sperms.While the surgery to remove the testis was lifesaving, it threatened to end the teenager’s (his identity has been withheld on family’s request) chance of becoming a biological father.The odds that the team of surgeons, urologists, andrologists, fertility specialists and embryologists would find any surviving sperms in the surgically removed testis were daunting. But after hours of meticulous search, there was success — they found 23 viable sperms. The cells were frozen and preserved for future use. What had begun as an attempt to save a life, ended with the hope of a new one taking birth sometime in the future.A childhood conditionThe teen’s medical journey had begun long before his cancer diagnosis. He was born with cryptorchidism (undescended testes) — a condition in which both testes fail to descend into the scrotum before birth and remain inside the abdomen.Since the testes require a cooler environment for normal sperm production, the condition can impair fertility and is also associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer.When he was just a year old, he underwent orchiopexy, a procedure to bring the testes into the scrotum. However, one testis had already sustained irreversible damage and had to be removed. The other was successfully brought down into the scrotum.Some years later, this surviving testis developed swelling. Investigations revealed a large tumour that had affected nearly 95% of the organ. Removing the cancerous testis became essential to save his life. But for the teenager, the surgery carried a devastating consequence — it would permanently end his body’s ability to produce sperms. “His case was extremely challenging. We wanted to explore every possible option to preserve his fertility and give him a chance of biological fatherhood,” said Dr Firuza Parikh, director of IVF at Well Women and Men’s Centre, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital.When every routine option failedBefore the surgery, the patient provided two semen samples. Both were analysed using an advanced AI-assisted sperm detection system.“We have the latest technology to search for sperm in cryptozoospermia — a condition in which sperm are present in extremely low numbers and may not be detected during routine semen analysis, requiring microscopic examination to find them. The technology, the first of its kind in India, was developed in collaboration with the AZ-VUB IVF team in Belgium,” Dr Parikh explained.Yet, despite the advanced analysis, the results brought heartbreaking news — not a single sperm could be located in the two samples. This medical condition is called azoospermia, meaning a person ejaculates a normal-looking fluid, but the fluid contains zero sperm cells.“This was a major setback for us, the family was devastated… now the only option left was to attempt Onco-TESE (oncological testicular sperm extraction) — a specialised fertility preservation technique used in cancer patients,” she said.The team decided to attempt a rare “ex-vivo Onco-TESE”, a procedure in which sperm retrieval is performed after the cancer-affected testis has been surgically removed. The organ is examined outside the body in a controlled laboratory environment to identify any surviving sperm-producing tissue untouched by the tumour.A race against the clockOn July 25, surgical oncologists Dr Raman Deshpande and Dr Soumil Vyas removed the cancer-affected testis. Now, the team had just five to six hours to locate and extract the sperms.A team led by consultant andrologists Dr Rupin Shah and Dr Himanshu Gohil dissected small pieces of tissue surrounding the tumour in search of any surviving tissue. The doctors relied on ultrasound and MRI scans to guide them towards the tiny regions that might still contain viable tissue.These healthy tissues were then sent to the hospital’s IVF laboratory. “Healthy tissue fractions were carefully separated. Once the required tissue fractions were identified, they were placed in a specialised sterile transport medium to maintain tissue viability and preserve any potential viable sperm cells. Prompt processing is critical, as it provides the best chance of preserving any surviving sperm cells.”Embryologists led by Dr Varsha Kuril spent five hours going through the tissues for signs of surviving sperms. When the team identified the first viable sperm cell, they knew they were onto a special moment in medical history. By the time they were done, the team had identified 23 sperms, which were then cryopreserved.Twenty-three shots at fatherhood“Twenty-three may sound like a disappointingly small number in the world of sperm counts, where a healthy male can produce millions of sperm cells. But in this case, every single one was a victory — each cell represented a possibility that cancer had nearly taken away,” said Dr Parikh, adding that doctors “will wait for the time when this young boy gets married and wishes to have children. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThen the sperm will be thawed and used for IVF.”According to Dr Tarang Gianchandani, chief executive officer of the hospital, the procedure marked a significant milestone for the institution. “We have been freezing eggs and ovarian tissue in women with cancer for a long time, but this was the first time that we could get testicular tissue from a testis that was almost entirely destroyed by cancer. And we succeeded only because of our team’s efforts,” she said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Police To Not Register Case Against Minor Who Abused PM Modi, Say Sources‘Jihad-Producing Factories’: Taslima Nasreen Speaks On Mosques, Madrasas In Bangladesh; Demands UCCON CAM: Clash Erupts At Pappu Yadav’s Delhi Press Meet, Man Carrying Knife Detained‘Mekedatu Dam Is Permanent Solution’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar After All-Party Meet On Cauvery Water’₹18 Crore Stolen Every Year’ At Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple: Raj Thackeray’s Donation Theft Claim‘Enemy Nations Conspiring To Hurt India’: PM Modi During ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Campaign LaunchIndian Navy Launches Final Diving Support Craft, Completes Indigenous Five Ship ProgrammeMother Of Noida Teen Seeks Protection, FIR Withdrawal After PM Modi’s Appeal For Compassion’Why Do Killings Happen When…’: Farooq Abdullah’s Remarks On Kulgam Terror Attack Spark BJP-NC RowRam Temple Skit Row: Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad Booked123Photostories8 delicious no onion, no garlic lunch ideas for flavourful everyday mealsStop throwing away banana peels and mix them with baking soda: The chemistry behind the combination and 3 smart usesAluminium foil isn’t just for cooking: 7 practical ways it quietly solves common household problems5 quiet luxury brands fashion insiders are secretly buying right nowThe return of Madras check: Why this South Indian textile is dominating fashion in 2026Eggs and cholesterol: Are they really bad for your heart, or have we misunderstood one of the world’s most nutritious foods?7 signs you’re confusing loneliness with love (and how to tell the difference)Everyday things most men never think twice about could be quietly damaging sperm health, doctors warnWhich country invented biryani? 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The agency has floated a tender estimated at Rs 7.5 crore to hire a security firm for its headquarters at Minto Road, regional office in Okhla and other notified locations. NEW DELHI: After a paper leak exposed weak links in India’s biggest entrance examination, National Testing Agency (NTA) is moving to put its premises, confidential records and examination material under round-the-clock watch. The agency has floated a tender estimated at Rs 7.5 crore to hire a security firm for its headquarters at Minto Road, regional office in Okhla and other notified locations.Issued on July 25, the tender is part of a procurement exercise covering security, housekeeping and examination-grade printing. Together, the bids signal an attempt to tighten controls across the examination chain — from printing and storage to access control and protection of digital infrastructure. The security contract will initially run for two years and may be extended twice by a year each. Bids can be submitted until 3 pm on Aug 17. The printing-services tender closes on Aug 20.The selected agency will watch over NTA employees, visitors, premises, confidential examination material, server rooms, strong rooms, warehouses, record rooms and other sensitive facilities. It will regulate entry and exit, verify staff and visitors, maintain logs and ensure that “only authorised persons enter restricted areas”.The security apparatus will include door-frame and hand-held metal detectors, GPS-enabled guard patrol tracking, biometric attendance and digital incident-reporting systems.NTA has moved away from choosing a bidder mainly on cost basis. Citing the “sensitive nature of NTA’s examination ecosystem and confidentiality requirements”, it has adopted the quality-and-cost based selection model. Technical capability will carry 70% weightage and the financial bid 30%. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOnly agencies securing at least 70 marks in the technical assessment will reach the financial round.Bidders must have at least five years’ experience in professional security, an average annual turnover of Rs 10 crore in past three financial years and must have done prior work at high-security establishments such as central govt institutions, examination agencies, universities, airports, hospitals or metro systems.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Jihad-Producing Factories’: Taslima Nasreen Speaks On Mosques, Madrasas In Bangladesh; Demands UCCON CAM: Clash Erupts At Pappu Yadav’s Delhi Press Meet, Man Carrying Knife Detained‘Mekedatu Dam Is Permanent Solution’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar After All-Party Meet On Cauvery Water’₹18 Crore Stolen Every Year’ At Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple: Raj Thackeray’s Donation Theft Claim‘Enemy Nations Conspiring To Hurt India’: PM Modi During ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Campaign LaunchIndian Navy Launches Final Diving Support Craft, Completes Indigenous Five Ship ProgrammeMother Of Noida Teen Seeks Protection, FIR Withdrawal After PM Modi’s Appeal For Compassion’Why Do Killings Happen When…’: Farooq Abdullah’s Remarks On Kulgam Terror Attack Spark BJP-NC RowRam Temple Skit Row: Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad BookedPaper Leak Law Passed, But Can Tougher Punishment Alone Stop India’s Endless Exam Leak Crisis?123PhotostoriesThe return of Madras check: Why this South Indian textile is dominating fashion in 20267 signs you’re confusing loneliness with love (and how to tell the difference)Everyday things most men never think twice about could be quietly damaging sperm health, doctors warnWhich country invented biryani? The fascinating history behind the iconic dishSamantha Ruth Prabhu just gave maternity fashion the glow-up it was waiting forLung cancer isn’t just a smoker’s disease: Doctor explains how air pollution, genetics, and everyday exposures may quietly increase your risk7 incredible hair spa benefits that will actually transform your locksBrain teaser: Only sharp eyes can spot 1 out of 20 giraffes without a twin in 10 seconds in this safari landscapeMenstrual struggles nobody prepares young girls for: Doctor explains the symptoms that shouldn’t be dismissed as ‘part of growing up’7 things worth letting go of before the year comes to an end123Hot PicksHurricane IrmaRuchika SinghRRB Group D Admit CardNEET selective edit windowCommonwealth Games LiveUS work permit feeE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingMohammad Hamim MondalWeather TomorrowArpita SarkarAbhijeet Dipke Family FinancesPM ModiNoida Woman ArrestAmit ShahKulgam Terror AttackMumbai Building CollapseStock Market Up

The agency has floated a tender estimated at Rs 7.5 crore to hire a security firm for its headquarters at Minto Road, regional office in Okhla and other notified locations. NEW DELHI: After a paper leak exposed weak links in India’s biggest entrance examination, National Testing Agency (NTA) is moving to put its premises, confidential records and examination material under round-the-clock watch. The agency has floated a tender estimated at Rs 7.5 crore to hire a security firm for its headquarters at Minto Road, regional office in Okhla and other notified locations.Issued on July 25, the tender is part of a procurement exercise covering security, housekeeping and examination-grade printing. Together, the bids signal an attempt to tighten controls across the examination chain — from printing and storage to access control and protection of digital infrastructure. The security contract will initially run for two years and may be extended twice by a year each. Bids can be submitted until 3 pm on Aug 17. The printing-services tender closes on Aug 20.The selected agency will watch over NTA employees, visitors, premises, confidential examination material, server rooms, strong rooms, warehouses, record rooms and other sensitive facilities. It will regulate entry and exit, verify staff and visitors, maintain logs and ensure that “only authorised persons enter restricted areas”.The security apparatus will include door-frame and hand-held metal detectors, GPS-enabled guard patrol tracking, biometric attendance and digital incident-reporting systems.NTA has moved away from choosing a bidder mainly on cost basis. Citing the “sensitive nature of NTA’s examination ecosystem and confidentiality requirements”, it has adopted the quality-and-cost based selection model. Technical capability will carry 70% weightage and the financial bid 30%. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOnly agencies securing at least 70 marks in the technical assessment will reach the financial round.Bidders must have at least five years’ experience in professional security, an average annual turnover of Rs 10 crore in past three financial years and must have done prior work at high-security establishments such as central govt institutions, examination agencies, universities, airports, hospitals or metro systems.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Jihad-Producing Factories’: Taslima Nasreen Speaks On Mosques, Madrasas In Bangladesh; Demands UCCON CAM: Clash Erupts At Pappu Yadav’s Delhi Press Meet, Man Carrying Knife Detained‘Mekedatu Dam Is Permanent Solution’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar After All-Party Meet On Cauvery Water’₹18 Crore Stolen Every Year’ At Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple: Raj Thackeray’s Donation Theft Claim‘Enemy Nations Conspiring To Hurt India’: PM Modi During ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva’ Campaign LaunchIndian Navy Launches Final Diving Support Craft, Completes Indigenous Five Ship ProgrammeMother Of Noida Teen Seeks Protection, FIR Withdrawal After PM Modi’s Appeal For Compassion’Why Do Killings Happen When…’: Farooq Abdullah’s Remarks On Kulgam Terror Attack Spark BJP-NC RowRam Temple Skit Row: Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad BookedPaper Leak Law Passed, But Can Tougher Punishment Alone Stop India’s Endless Exam Leak Crisis?123PhotostoriesThe return of Madras check: Why this South Indian textile is dominating fashion in 20267 signs you’re confusing loneliness with love (and how to tell the difference)Everyday things most men never think twice about could be quietly damaging sperm health, doctors warnWhich country invented biryani? The fascinating history behind the iconic dishSamantha Ruth Prabhu just gave maternity fashion the glow-up it was waiting forLung cancer isn’t just a smoker’s disease: Doctor explains how air pollution, genetics, and everyday exposures may quietly increase your risk7 incredible hair spa benefits that will actually transform your locksBrain teaser: Only sharp eyes can spot 1 out of 20 giraffes without a twin in 10 seconds in this safari landscapeMenstrual struggles nobody prepares young girls for: Doctor explains the symptoms that shouldn’t be dismissed as ‘part of growing up’7 things worth letting go of before the year comes to an end123Hot PicksHurricane IrmaRuchika SinghRRB Group D Admit CardNEET selective edit windowCommonwealth Games LiveUS work permit feeE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingMohammad Hamim MondalWeather TomorrowArpita SarkarAbhijeet Dipke Family FinancesPM ModiNoida Woman ArrestAmit ShahKulgam Terror AttackMumbai Building CollapseStock Market Up

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