Maharashtra police have busted an inter-state illegal IVF network that exploited financially vulnerable women for repeated egg donations. Several arrests have been made, with authorities recovering hormonal injections and forged Aadhaar cards. The racket posed serious health risks to donors.
A woman approached a government health centre in Badlapur East, complaining she was not paid for egg donations arranged by Sulochana Gadekar. This led to Gadekar's arrest on February 18, followed by six more, including agents Ashwini Rupesh Chabukswar (29), Manjusha Wankhede (46), Sonal Gurudev Garewal (24), Dr. Amol Patil of Malti IVF Centre in Nashik, pharmacist Sumit Bhagwan Sonkamble (38), and Satish Dilip Choudhary.
Agents targeted financially struggling women, offering ₹18,000 to ₹30,000 per cycle. Victims like Laxmi, 28, underwent the process up to eight times, receiving ₹12,000-₹25,000 each, with injections at Gadekar's Vangani home before extractions in Nashik, Thane, Bengaluru, Telangana, Nagpur, and Pune. Forged Aadhaar cards were used to obscure tracking.
Ulhasnagar Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Gore stated, "Preliminary investigation reveals the three main accused were in direct contact with IVF centres. Inter-state links, financial trails, and medical professionals' involvement are under probe."
Dr. Sainath Bairagi, an obstetrician-gynaecologist, warned that repeated menotropins injections raise ovarian cancer risk and can cause life-threatening Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. The government plans to monitor 860 IVF centres, conduct joint inspections, and may invoke MCOCA if a larger conspiracy is found. BJP MLC Chitra Wagh raised the issue in the Legislative Council. Police have identified 10 victims and are tracking 30-35 agents.
