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Ahmedabad, May 28, 2025:
In a major breakthrough against illegal medical practices, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Ahmedabad rural police has busted an abortion racket linked to female feticide operating out of a guesthouse in Bavla, Ahmedabad district. The raid, conducted on Monday, was based on specific intelligence and executed in collaboration with local health department officials.
Key Accused: Ex-Nurse with Decade of Experience
The main accused, Hemlata Darji, 40, is a former nurse with over ten years of experience in private hospitals across Bavla and Dholka. According to police sources, Darji was found performing abortions without valid medical qualifications. Leveraging her experience, she allegedly carried out unauthorized pregnancy terminations, specifically targeting female fetuses.
How the Racket Operated
Darji, along with her assistant, was apprehended at the guesthouse during the raid, along with a woman who had come for an abortion. A man was also detained at the scene. Police recovered evidence suggesting that Darji maintained contacts with hospitals and sonography centres, allegedly using information from them to identify pregnancies with female fetuses.
Investigators revealed that Darji kept a list of individuals seeking to terminate pregnancies when the fetus was determined to be female. She would rent rooms at the guesthouse for the procedures, charging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000, depending on the financial status of the clients. Abortions were performed using oral medications or injections, with patients typically staying at the facility for one to two days.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
An FIR has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. Inspector A N Jani of Bavla police station stated that the investigation will focus on tracing Darji’s network, examining financial records, and identifying sonography centres potentially involved in illegal sex determination. Authorities are also working to determine if any abortions were conducted beyond the legally permitted gestation period.
Police have described the operation as part of a district-wide crackdown on illegal medical practices and female feticide, emphasizing their commitment to eradicating such practices from the region.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by The Times of India as of May 28, 2025. The investigation is ongoing, and details may evolve as more information becomes available. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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