Investigation Deepens Into Alleged PC-PNDT Violations in Maharashtra
A 68-year-old former president of the Indian Medical Association Maharashtra chapter has been remanded to judicial custody in connection with an alleged illegal sex determination racket uncovered in Shrirampur of Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district.
The accused doctor was arrested last week along with 11 others after police busted the alleged network involved in illegal prenatal sex determination tests and abortions. He was produced before a local court on Monday, which remanded him to judicial custody as investigations continue.
Police Allege Illegal Abortions After Sex Determination Tests
According to Additional Superintendent of Police Somnath Waghchoure, the probe revealed that several pregnant women allegedly underwent abortions at the accused doctor’s hospital after illegal sex determination procedures were conducted.
The operation was carried out following a tip-off that sex determination tests were allegedly being offered for Rs 10,000. Police conducted a raid in Rahata taluka after a woman constable posed as a customer to gather evidence.
During the raid, authorities reportedly found eight pregnant women who had paid for the tests. Police subsequently arrested the husbands of seven women, along with an alleged agent and a local villager linked to the racket.
Maharashtra Medical Council and IMA Initiate Action
Following the arrest, the Maharashtra Medical Council decided to issue a show-cause notice to the accused doctor, asking why disciplinary action should not be initiated against him.
The Indian Medical Association Maharashtra chapter has also sought a written explanation. During a virtual meeting, office-bearers resolved to suspend the doctor from all privileges associated with IMA membership and forwarded the matter to the association’s national headquarters in New Delhi.
Former IMA office-bearers expressed concern over the allegations, especially considering the doctor had served as the association’s Maharashtra president during the 2022–23 term.
“Save Girl Child” Campaign Mentioned by Former IMA President
Former IMA Maharashtra president Dr Santosh Kadam stated that the association had long supported campaigns against female foeticide, even before the government launched the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” initiative.
He said IMA branches across the state had actively participated in efforts to improve the girl child ratio and described the allegations against the former office-bearer as deeply unfortunate.
Hospital Registration Under Scanner
Ahilyanagar district civil surgeon Dr Sanjay Ghogre said the health department would also initiate separate legal proceedings under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act against an ayurvedic practitioner arrested in the case for allegedly using ultrasound equipment for sex determination tests.
Officials further revealed that Ahilyanagar district currently has 240 registered ultrasound centres.
District Health Officer Dr Bapusaheb Nagargoje stated that the accused doctor’s 50-bed hospital located on the outskirts of Shrirampur had failed to renew its registration. Authorities also found that the hospital was not authorised as a Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) centre.
The accused doctor’s son has reportedly confirmed that the hospital has been shut down but declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation.
Maharashtra Tightens Crackdown on Female Foeticide
Senior police officials suspect the involvement of a larger organised network behind the illegal operations. Authorities have intensified enforcement of the PC-PNDT Act following several similar incidents reported across Maharashtra, including a recently foiled attempt in Sambhajinagar.
According to official data, Maharashtra has conducted 286 sting operations related to female foeticide in the last four years, though only 31 resulted in successful action.
Over the last two decades, 627 cases have been filed in Judicial Magistrate First Class courts under the PC-PNDT Act in the state. Out of these, 129 cases resulted in convictions, while 169 remain pending.
Maharashtra’s Sex Ratio Shows Slight Improvement
State health officials said Maharashtra’s sex ratio at birth has improved marginally, increasing from 907 girls per 1,000 boys in 2023 to 912 girls per 1,000 boys in 2024.
Joint Director of Health Dr Sandeep Sangale stated that the state currently has around 12,750 registered sonography and related diagnostic centres.
Authorities are now reviewing pending PC-PNDT cases and conducting joint workshops with the Indian Medical Association to strengthen enforcement mechanisms. Officials are also considering invoking stricter laws, including provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), in cases involving organised rackets.
