Acting tough on a doctor couple who encouraged their teenaged son to perform a caesarean section, the Tamil Nadu Medical Council has revoked their licences on the charge of violating medical ethics.

The cancellation would be valid for a year, after which it would be reviewed.

Consequently, the couple would not be able to practice for the said period, Council sources said.

The Council took action against Dr K Murugesan and Dr Gandhimathi of Manapparai on Wednesday, after it found prima facie evidence of violation of medical ethics. The couple had allowed their non-medico son M Dhileepan Raj to perform surgeries at their private clinic, in a bid to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.

It had considered the reply of the couple to the memo issued by the Council, the inquiry report of the district administration and media reports, besides a direct inquiry about the couple before taking the decision, the sources said.

The incident came to light in June when Dr Murugesan showed a video of their 15-year-old son performing a caesarian section on a woman at a local Indian Medical Association meeting, creating furore among the medical fraternity and the general public alike.