Thane Police Uncover Extensive Inter-State Human Egg Extraction Racket
Police investigating the alleged illegal human egg extraction and sale racket in Badlapur East have placed two hospitals in Ulhasnagar and Thane under intense scrutiny. Authorities now suspect the accused has established connections in Bengaluru and Telangana, indicating a sophisticated inter-state operation.
Mobile Data Reveals Widespread Trafficking of Donor Women
According to investigators, data retrieved from mobile phones seized from arrested individuals shows that donor women were allegedly transported to multiple cities, including Bengaluru and Telangana. Police suspect that after being administered hormonal injections without proper medical consultation, these women were taken to medical facilities where their eggs were illegally extracted.
Officials confirmed the findings point to a possible inter-state network involving agents, unauthorized medical procedures, and illegal financial transactions that span across state boundaries.
Case Origins and Initial Raids
The case first came to light when a woman approached a health center claiming she had not been paid for an egg donation procedure. The alert doctor immediately notified Badlapur police, leading to coordinated raids on the Badlapur residence of Sulakshana Gadekar (44), who is alleged to be the kingpin of this extensive operation.
During these raids, investigators recovered injections used for ovulation stimulation from Gadekar's flat, providing crucial evidence of the illegal medical procedures being conducted.
Medical Procedures and Inter-State Operations
Investigators revealed that the accused allegedly arranged sonography tests at two different hospitals without valid medical prescriptions. The findings from these tests were then shared with contacts outside Maharashtra, facilitating the illegal egg extraction operations.
At a later stage, women were allegedly transported to hospitals in Bengaluru, Telangana, and other locations within Maharashtra including Nagpur, Pune, and Nashik where eggs were extracted and supplied through this illicit network.
Document Examination and Legal Violations
Authorities confirmed that documents and medical records seized during searches at hospitals in Ulhasnagar and Thane are currently being examined by forensic teams. Officials are specifically verifying whether sonography procedures were conducted in compliance with legal requirements and medical ethics.
A senior police officer disclosed that preliminary investigations suggest over 40 women may have been exploited through this racket. In one particularly shocking instance, a donor was allegedly subjected to egg extraction 33 times, despite the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 clearly permitting egg donation only once in a lifetime and strictly prohibiting any form of commercialization.
Modus Operandi and Additional Arrests
The police alleged that Gadekar specifically targeted financially distressed women, luring them with promises of Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per procedure. These women were then administered hormonal injections without proper medical consultation or oversight.
Sources claimed that women were allegedly housed at Gadekar's residence for 10 to 12 days, during which they received multiple injections daily to stimulate egg production beyond safe medical limits.
During intensive questioning, Gadekar allegedly disclosed the involvement of two additional women from Ulhasnagar. Police subsequently arrested Ashwini Chabuskwar (29) and Manjusha Wankhede (46), who are believed to have facilitated similar illegal activities within the network.
Ongoing Investigation and Official Response
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Gore, Zone 3, Thane, stated, "Three specialized teams are conducting a detailed investigation into all aspects of this case. The inter-state links, complex financial trail, and potential involvement of medical professionals are being thoroughly probed. Further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses."
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has assured a comprehensive investigation into the entire racket and warned of strict action against all those found guilty of participating in or facilitating these illegal activities. The inquiry continues to expand as authorities work to dismantle the entire network and bring all perpetrators to justice.
