2 Thane, Ulhasnagar hospitals face scrutiny in human eggs sale racket

Thane: Police probing the alleged illegal human egg extraction and sale racket in Badlapur East have put two hospitals in Ulhasnagar and Thane under scrutiny and suspect that the accused has links in Bengaluru and in Telangana.According to investigators, data retrieved from mobile phones seized from the arrested accused indicated the donor women were allegedly transported to multiple cities, including Bengaluru and Telangana. Police suspect that after being administered hormonal injections, the women were taken to medical facilities where eggs were extracted. Officials said the findings point to a possible inter-state network involving agents, unauthorised medical procedures and illegal financial transactions.
The case came to light after a woman approached a health centre claiming she had not been paid for an egg donation procedure. The doctor alerted Badlapur police, leading to raids on the Badlapur residence of Sulakshana Gadekar (44), alleged to be the kingpin. Investigators said injections used for ovulation stimulation were recovered from her flat.Investigators said the accused allegedly arranged sonography tests at two different hospitals without valid medical prescriptions. The findings of the tests were shared with contacts outside the state, police said. At a later stage, women were allegedly taken to hospitals in Bengaluru, Telangana and other locations in Maharashtra like Nagpur, Pune and Nashik in Maharashtra where eggs were extracted and supplied, police said.Authorities said documents and medical records seized during searches at hospitals in Ulhasnagar and Thane are being examined. Officials are verifying whether sonography procedures were conducted in compliance with legal requirements. A senior officer said preliminary investigations suggest that over 40 women may have been exploited. In one instance, a donor was allegedly subjected to egg extraction 33 times, despite the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 permitting egg donation only once in a lifetime and prohibiting commercialisation.The police alleged that Gadekar lured financially distressed women by offering Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 and administered hormonal injections without proper medical consultation. Sources claimed that women were allegedly housed at her residence for 10 to 12 days, during which multiple injections were administered daily.During questioning, Gadekar allegedly disclosed the involvement of two more women from Ulhasnagar. Police subsequently arrested Ashwini Chabuskwar (29) and Manjusha Wankhede (46), who facilitated similar activities.Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Gore, Zone 3, Thane, said, "Three teams are conducting a detailed investigation. The inter-state links, financial trail and the involvement of medical professionals are being probed. Further arrests are likely."Meanwhile, Maharashtra health minister Prakash Abitkar has assured a thorough investigation into the racket and warned of strict action against those found guilty. Further inquiry is underway.