Sex-determination racket busted in Patiala, doctor among 4 held

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 23

A doctor, an auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) and two touts were arrested by the police here today for allegedly running a sex-determination racket in the city. An ultrasound machine and medicines were also seized by the police.

The Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Vikram Jeet Duggal, said a health centre was being run at a house in Chaura village. It has been learnt that the accused ANM, earlier booked in four similar cases, was posted at the Jalalpur health centre under the National Health Mission (NHM).

Explaining the modus operandi, the SSP said the doctor, identified as Anil Kapoor, would refer pregnant women to suspect ANM Meena Rani. The ANM along with her two touts used to arrange an ultrasound machine and carried out sex determination at a house in Chaura village.

During investigation, it has come to the fore that the suspect used to charge Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 for a single test.

Shockingly, the suspect used to tout pregnant women for abortion and charge separately.

The seized material included an ultrasound machine, 703 tablets, 150 capsules, 19 tube cream, 32 injections, 57 ayurvedic medicines, and 10 pieces of Copper T, the SSP added.

The suspects have been booked under Section 3(1), 5(1) A, 6 (A), 18, 24 and 29, PC-PNDT ACT, and Sections 420, 308 and 120- B, IPC.

On receiving information from the Patiala Civil Surgeon a team of health officials and the police nabbed the suspects, said the SSP.

Meanwhile, the NHM has come under flak for allowing ANM Meena Rani, who had earlier been booked several times, to work in the department.

When asked about the same, the Patiala Civil Surgeon, Dr Harish Malhotra, said, “We had already informed the NHM Punjab about the ANM.”