Hyderabad: An alleged interstate human egg extraction racket has been busted by Hyderabad police.
The racket involved recruitment of women for donation of immature female egg cells produced in the ovary. Investigators suspect commercial exploitation through IVF and fertility centres.
Following coordinated raids carried out across multiple locations, police apprehended eight people and rescued 43 women belonging to West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and some other states.
The operation was carried out by Begumpet and Saroornagar police, along with the Special Operations Team (SOT) of Malkajgiri Commissionerate.
According to preliminary investigation, the modus operandi was to lure women to Hyderabad with promise of payments ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 for each egg donation cycle.
Agents reportedly recruited them from different states, arranged their transportation and arranged for their accommodation in rented houses before connecting them with fertility-related service providers.
Some of the rescued women revealed that they had been administered hormonal injections and medicines in preparation for the procedures.
During the raids, police seized five vials of Humog HP 150 IU injections, a syringe, two needles, Primolut and Meprate tablets. Documents, mobile phones and other material were also confiscated.
Investigators suspect some procedures may have been carried out without authorised medical supervision and that prescribed norms for biomedical waste disposal may have been flouted.
Among those arrested are Amit Sharma (44), suspected to be the principal organiser, and Nikkat Parveen (31), an alleged co-organiser involved in recruiting women.
Other accused include Reshma Khatoon (26), an alleged IVF agent and sub-agent; Meghavath Srinivas alias Sonu (23), who allegedly coordinated medical facilitation; and Jepray Pradeep (27), an ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Bank manager.
The remaining accused are SK Parveen (42), whose specific role is being verified; Vijay Bhagwah Rao Salunke (46), associated with documentation work at Butterfly Bio & ART Bank; Pankaj Soni (52), allegedly involved in coordination and intermediary activities.
The investigators are examining suspected forgery of Aadhaar cards, affidavits and consent forms, besides medical records, frequency of egg donations, financial transactions and commissions allegedly paid to agents.
Three cases have been registered in connection with the racket under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 33(2) and 34 of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021.
