Guesthouse turned into covert abortion clinic; sex-selective terminations shock Gujarat health authorities
Ahmedabad: In a disturbing revelation, a female foeticide racket has been busted in Bavla, near Ahmedabad, where a former nurse and a city-based radiologist were allegedly running illegal abortions targeting female fetuses out of a guesthouse. The Ahmedabad Rural Special Operations Group (SOG) uncovered the operation during a recent raid.
The accused include Hemlata Darji, an ex-nurse from Dholka, and Dr. Harshad Acharya, a radiologist who runs Ashirwad Imaging Centre in Odhav. Police say Hemlata was caught red-handed performing an abortion without a license, while Dr. Acharya is accused of conducting illegal prenatal sex determination tests.
Illegal Setup in Guesthouse
The Panama Guest House in Bavla was turned into a makeshift abortion clinic, where Hemlata performed terminations on women after determining the fetus was female. The SOG, along with health department officials, recovered a fetus during the raid, which has been sent for forensic examination.
Police detained three women, including one undergoing an abortion and another who had recently miscarried. A man accompanying the patient was also taken into custody.
Financial Transactions and Modus Operandi
The accused charged Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 per abortion, based on the patient’s financial background. Investigations revealed that Dr. Acharya received Rs 15,000 per case, sharing Rs 7,000 with Hemlata. Darji also maintained a detailed client list, noting those specifically seeking to abort female fetuses.
To mask the gender revelations, Acharya used coded language:
- “Aashirwad (blessing)” with a smile meant it was a boy.
- “Theek thai jashe (everything will be fine)” with a serious tone meant it was a girl.
Shocking Statistics Emerge
The operation reportedly conducted 25 illegal gender tests, of which 8 fetuses were female. Hemlata then arranged three abortions at the guesthouse and five others at the victims’ homes.
Hemlata, who has a basic nursing course certificate, admitted to learning abortion procedures informally while working in private clinics, including Santokba Hospital in Dholka. She maintained contacts at local hospitals and sonography centers, helping her identify pregnancies with female fetuses.
Authorities Respond
Police have arrested Sachin Patel, manager of the Panama Guest House, for enabling the illegal operations. He has been lodged in Sabarmati Jail. Officials say more arrests may follow as names of other radiologists and medical staff could emerge during the probe.
“This racket not only endangered the lives of women but also violated the PCPNDT Act, which bans sex determination. The investigation is ongoing, and further leads are being pursued,” said a senior police officer.
The incident has sent shockwaves across Gujarat, reigniting concerns over female foeticide, illegal medical practices, and exploitation of vulnerable women in rural areas.
