Maharashtra IVF Racket: Nashik Doctor Arrested for Illegal Egg Extraction from Economically Vulnerable Women
In a shocking development, police in Thane have arrested Dr Amol Patil, the director of Malti IVF Centre based in Nashik, on Wednesday. The arrest is linked to a disturbing racket involving the illegal extraction and sale of human eggs from economically disadvantaged women in Badlapur. This case has prompted the Maharashtra legislative council to order a comprehensive, multi-pronged crackdown across the state.
Arrest and Allegations Against Dr Amol Patil
Dr Patil was produced before the Kalyan sessions court and remanded to five days of police custody. He faces serious accusations of acting as a surrogate mother agent in this illicit operation. Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Gore stated, "Preliminary investigation has revealed that the three main arrested accused — all women — were in direct contact with Dr Patil's IVF centre." Authorities suspect that Dr Patil may be part of a larger inter-state or even international trafficking network with connections to multiple cities.
Legislative Council's Response and Crackdown Measures
The issue was raised in the legislative council by BJP MLC Chitra Wagh, who alleged that poor women were lured with money and subjected to repeated hormonal injections and illegal egg extraction under the guise of IVF and surrogacy procedures. She claimed that some women were forced to donate eggs eight to ten times, far exceeding the legal one-time limit, and were then sent back without any medical follow-up care. Wagh also highlighted an interstate network involving centres in Telangana and Karnataka.
In response, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam described the racket as "extremely serious" and promised stringent action. Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe directed that the registrations of the accused doctors be cancelled immediately. Kadam informed the House that fake Aadhaar cards were used to repeatedly register the same women under different identities. To prevent such fraud, Aadhaar authentication will now be made mandatory, and all IVF centres in Maharashtra will be linked to a centralised system. The state currently has around 860 IVF centres.
Investigation Details and Racket Operations
Investigations have revealed that the racket was allegedly operated through a doctor linked to a registered IVF centre in Nashik but functioning out of Thane without proper authorisation. Police said the operation was run by three women from residential premises in Badlapur and Ulhasnagar. The prime accused, Sulakshana Gadekar, allegedly stored injections used to stimulate ova production at her home. The trio lured women with monetary incentives and illegally administered ovum-stimulating injections at their residences.
Once the ova developed, the women were sent to Malti IVF Centre, which has branches in Nashik and Thane. There, doctors would extract the eggs through medical procedures and sell them unlawfully. Sources added that Malti IVF Centre was licensed to operate only in Nashik but was allegedly functioning in Thane without authorisation. Following Dr Patil's arrest, the Nashik Municipal Corporation has issued a notice to him, and documents related to the centre are being scrutinised.
Government Actions and Future Steps
The legislative council has established a district-level committee comprising the superintendent of police and civil surgeon to inspect IVF centres across Maharashtra. Joint inspections by the home and health departments will be conducted through this panel. Additionally, action has been initiated against unauthorised sonography centres, and the government may invoke stringent provisions such as the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) if necessary.
Deputy Chairperson Gorhe directed that the Indian Medical Council be formally informed to begin proceedings to cancel the registrations of the accused doctors, emphasising that strict oversight is essential to prevent the commercial exploitation of vulnerable women. Minister Kadam assured the House that appropriate action would be taken to address this grave issue.
So far, around 10 women have been identified as victims, though Wagh claimed over 20 may be involved. Dr Patil has been arrested under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, and five persons — all women — have been taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
