In a major crackdown on illegal prenatal sex determination, the Gurugram police have busted a racket operating at a private hospital in the city. Five people, including a doctor and a nurse, have been arrested for allegedly conducting sex determination tests and aborting female fetuses.
Operation and Arrests
The police acted on a tip-off and conducted a raid at the hospital located in the Sector 38 area. During the raid, they found evidence of illegal ultrasound scans being performed to determine the sex of the fetus, which is prohibited under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. The accused were charging hefty fees from pregnant women for these illegal services.
Those arrested include Dr. Rajesh Kumar, the owner of the hospital, along with nurse Sunita Devi, receptionist Priya Sharma, and two other staff members. The police have also seized ultrasound machines, records, and other equipment from the premises.
Modus Operandi
According to the police, the racket had been running for several months. The accused would lure pregnant women with promises of accurate sex determination and, if the fetus was female, would offer to terminate the pregnancy illegally. The entire operation was conducted in secrecy, with the hospital staff maintaining fake records to avoid detection.
“We have recovered a register containing details of over 100 women who had undergone these illegal tests. The accused were charging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 20,000 per test,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rajesh Kumar.
Legal Action
The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the PCPNDT Act and the Indian Penal Code. They have been produced before a local court and sent to judicial custody. The police are also investigating whether any other hospitals or clinics were involved in the racket.
The crackdown has been welcomed by women’s rights activists, who have long been demanding stricter enforcement of laws against female feticide. “This is a step in the right direction. We hope the authorities will continue to take action against such illegal practices,” said Meena Sharma, a local activist.
The Gurugram police have urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to sex determination or female feticide. They have assured that strict action will be taken against those found guilty.
