Telangana orders probe into alleged illegal egg donation racket
Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha has directed a thorough investigation after 43 women were rescued during a raid in Hyderabad.
Telangana Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha has ordered a full investigation into the suspected illegal collection of human eggs in the state, according to India Today. The move follows the discovery of an alleged commercial egg extraction and sale racket in Hyderabad on October 31, which resulted in eight arrests and the rescue of 43 women.
Task force groups have since inspected 27 of the 44 identified assisted reproductive technology (ART) facilities across Telangana. These inspections revealed 13 regulatory violations at seven hospitals, leading to the issuance of show-cause notices to their managements, as reported by South First.
The investigation is looking into the roles of doctors, intermediaries, IVF centres, and the women identified in the case. Police allege that the accused recruited women from states including West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, transporting them to Hyderabad for egg donation procedures.
On November 6, state health officials visited the National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Registry in New Delhi to collect data from registered clinics and banks in Telangana. Officials will take further action after reviewing police records and the registry information.
Minister Rajanarasimha has directed officials to take strict action against violators, including the potential permanent cancellation of centre registrations and the revocation of medical licences. He also instructed the department to consult the Telangana State Medical Council and the National Medical Commission regarding complicit doctors.