Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Police personnel investigating the Rashidpura illegal abortion racket have discovered that the accused systematically misled women by falsely claiming that every foetus was female. This practice is a clear violation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, which strictly prohibits sex determination.
Modus Operandi Revealed
Investigators said the tactic was used to push women into undergoing illegal abortions for quick financial gain. The accused would claim the foetus was female irrespective of its actual sex, thereby coercing women into terminating pregnancies.
Arrest of Key Accused
The city crime branch on Thursday arrested accused Mangesh Thorat (40) from platform 4 of the central bus stand around 8:45 am, following a specific tip-off. He was detained by a team led by Assistant Inspector Ravikant Gacche and handed over to the City Chowk police for further investigation.
With Mangesh Thorat's arrest, all six accused are now in police custody. The other accused include Shaheda Parveen Syed Irshad Ahmed (51), Syed Irshad Ahmed Syed Gani (61), Nasrin Nazir Sheikh (47), Minakshi Thorat, and Surekha Baban Hirde (40).
Pattern of Illegal Sex Determination
Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar said the investigation revealed a consistent pattern of illegal sex determination claims. "The accused would claim the foetus was female irrespective of its actual sex, pushing women towards abortion. This was confirmed after medical examination of a foetus from a woman undergoing treatment at GMCH showed it was male, despite being declared female earlier," Pawar stated.
Disposal of Foetuses
The police said the racket involved blatant disregard for the law, with foetuses allegedly being disposed of in a nullah behind the rented bungalow, where they were eaten by stray dogs. The racket was uncovered after a pre-dawn joint raid by the municipal corporation and City Chowk police at a house in Rashidpura earlier this week. Three accused were caught allegedly conducting an abortion without a licence. A woman undergoing the procedure was taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital after her condition worsened.
Exploitation of Women
City Chowk Inspector Nirmala Pardeshi said the case highlights how illegal sex determination was central to the operation. "They exploited women by giving false information about the foetus to carry out abortions and make money," she said.
Seizures and Legal Action
Officials seized abortion drugs, medical instruments, and a sonography probe from the premises, pointing to multiple legal violations. Based on a complaint by civic health officer Dr. Amarjyoti Shinde, an FIR has been registered under provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, PCPNDT Act, Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The police said further investigation is underway to identify more victims and expose the full scale of the illegal sex determination and abortion racket.
