Abortion, gender determination racket busted in Ahmedabad Rural: Doctor, nurse among arrested

The Ahmedabad Rural police have uncovered a major illegal abortion racket, leading to the arrest of a doctor and a nurse accused of conducting gender determination tests and terminations of pregnancies.

Dr Harshad Acharya, an MD radiologist, and nurse Hemlata were arrested for their involvement in the racket, which had reportedly been operating for the past two to three years. Gender determination tests were allegedly being conducted at Aashirwad Hospital in the Soni Ni Chali area, while illegal abortions were carried out at Panama Guest House in Bavla.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Neelam Goswami stated that nurse Hemlata used to bring pregnant women to Dr Acharya for gender determination tests. If it were found that the foetus was female, she would allegedly arrange for the abortion. The two had known each other for the past 15 years and were previously associated with Vrinda Hospital in Dholka and Bavla, where Dr Acharya worked as a visiting radiologist.

The police have also arrested Sachin Patel, the manager of Panama Guest House, where several illegal abortions were conducted.

Police sources revealed that Hemlata charged ₹15,000 for each abortion, of which Dr Acharya received ₹8,000 for the gender determination tests. It is alleged that Hemlata was instrumental in connecting expectant mothers with Dr Acharya, and that she had been involved in this illicit practice for the past two to three years.