Badlapur: Police have issued notices to four doctors running IVF centres in connection with the illegal extraction and sale of human eggs from economically vulnerable women even as the investigation has widened to cover over 30 medical practitioners in various cities of the state. Of the four doctors issued notices, two are from Mumbai, one from Thane, and one from Baramati.Officials said the probe has revealed that several victims were repeatedly used as egg donors at different IVF clinics in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Baramati. Financial transactions between the victims and at least 30 doctors have also come under the scanner.“So far, we have issued notices to four doctors. Based on their statements and findings of the inquiry, notices will be sent to other doctors involved,” a senior police officer said. Police said they have identified 30-35 donors linked to each agent, indicating a wide network operating across regions. Investigators suspect that some doctors, including those from south Mumbai, may have been part of the chain where eggs were extracted and supplied to clients.In the case so far, seven persons have been arrested, including Dr Amol Patil, director of Malti IVF Centre in Nashik, and three women agents. The agents allegedly lured poor and financially distressed women by offering them Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per cycle. The victims were administered hormonal injections to stimulate egg production and were repeatedly used as donors, raising concerns of serious physical exploitation while as per rules one donor can donate only once.Police said the injections were often administered at the homes of any of three agents without proper medical supervision or prescriptions. The women were later taken to IVF centres where eggs were extracted and allegedly sold.Last month, Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation’s health department raided Bhagwan Hospital in Ulhasnagar, where illegal sonography procedures linked to the racket were being conducted. The facility was sealed after officials found violations of medical norms, including lack of proper patient records and procedures allegedly carried out by unqualified persons.Authorities believe Dr Patil played a key role in coordinating the illegal activities. Officials said action will be taken against the doctors if direct involvement is established, as the investigation continues to uncover the scale of the racket.
