Karnataka Women Officers Uncover Illegal Abortion Racket in Maharashtra
A team from Karnataka exposes a prenatal sex determination and abortion scheme in Maharashtra's Jadar Babaladi village.
Karnataka's special task force conducted a sting operation in Maharashtra.
An FIR has been filed against the suspects involved in the racket.
Authorities seized equipment and are searching for the mastermind behind the operation.
A special task force comprising women officers from Karnataka successfully dismantled an alleged illegal prenatal sex determination and abortion racket in Jadar Babaladi village, Maharashtra. The operation was led by Shwetha Beedikar, Assistant Commissioner from Jamakhandi in Bagalkot district, along with key members from the Health Department, including Deputy Director Shobha T.R. and District Health and Family Welfare Officer Suvarna Kulkarni.
The investigation was initiated following credible complaints regarding illegal scanning practices targeting pregnant women from Bagalkot. The task force's efforts were sparked by the interrogation of Kavita Badanaval, a suspected agent in Mahalingapur, who confessed to facilitating the illegal scanning and abortion of three or four women in Maharashtra. This led to a coordinated sting operation by the officers posing as potential customers.
During the sting, Beedikar acted as a pregnant woman, while her colleagues posed as family members. They contacted Nikhil Teli, who informed them that the scanning would take place at a nearby farmhouse. Upon further investigation, Teli's mother, Danakka Teli, requested payment for the scan and disclosed that the scanning equipment was located at the residence of Kavita Godekar in Karjagi village. The officers then proceeded to the Godekar home, where they discovered preparations underway for the illegal scan and seized the portable scanning machine.
Sanjay Waghmare Patil, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the operation, managed to escape upon learning about the sting. The police have since launched a manhunt to apprehend him. Following the operation, the task force delivered the seized equipment to the Umadi Police Station, where a criminal case was registered against the accused for violating the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act of 1994, as well as for conspiracy and abetment of illegal medical practices.
Looking ahead, authorities are expected to intensify their efforts to track down the remaining suspects involved in this illegal operation. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding illegal prenatal practices and the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws to protect vulnerable populations.
