PUNE: The recent uncovering of a prenatal sex determination and abortion racket in Daund, Kedgaon and Yavat that led to multiple arrests has exposed a yawning enforcement gap in Maharashtra, with as many as 18 district and municipal authorities failing to conduct even a single sting operation under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act over the past three years despite there being a target of 25 such operations every year in each district, according to official data.
Police inspector Santosh Tasgaonkar of Yavat police station, who is heading the SIT, informed that this case exposes the gaps in the effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act despite stringent provisions. “Such a well-oiled racket was able to operate and expand in areas such as Daund, Yavat and Kedgaon. “In fact, our region has topped the list in terms of action taken. The police department has also been very active in supporting these efforts. In Kolhapur, we recently conducted a successful operation with the help of the police. However, the challenge is that people are often reluctant to come forward for decoy operations. The recent racket detected in Pune district shows that such violations can continue unless authorities conduct regular surveillance and take proactive action. Decoy operations should not be treated as a routine target alone; they need to be backed by intelligence gathering, coordination with the police and prompt action against those involved.
So far, we have arrested 13 people, including six doctors and seven agents, for their alleged involvement in the illegal sex determination and termination of pregnancies.
We have also sealed three hospitals allegedly involved in illegal sex determination and abortion,” he said. Dr Dilip Mane, deputy director of health services, Kolhapur region, said that it is true that decoy sting operations are not conducted but there have been cases and their enforcement actions have been successful. Despite this, we are continuing our efforts and taking stringent action against those found violating the law,” he said. Health activist Sharad Shetty, said, “Zero decoy operations over the past three years in several jurisdictions is a serious enforcement concern, particularly when illegal sex determination is often carried out discreetly. The authorities must also ensure that the PCPNDT Act is implemented consistently across all districts,” he said.
The state government has taken this issue seriously and is closely monitoring the implementation of these laws. Regular directions are being issued to strengthen enforcement and ensure that the norms are followed effectively. The PCPNDT Act prohibits (illegal) sex determination and misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for determining the sex of a foetus.
The state government gives away a reward of ₹ 1 lakh if the sting operation is successful after an FIR is launched in court against the centre.
Dr Sandeep Sangale, additional director of health services, state family welfare bureau, said, “It is the responsibility of the respective local bodies to ensure the effective implementation of the PCPNDT and MTP Acts within their jurisdictions. We will continue to work with local authorities to improve compliance and take appropriate action wherever violations are detected,” he said.
These figures emerge as Maharashtra investigates a major (illegal) sex determination and abortion network in Pune district. The case surfaced in June this year in the Yavat police station limits and involved prenatal sex determination in the Daund-Kedgaon area. The investigation was later handed over to a special investigation team. “Investigation is underway and two doctors involved in the racket are still absconding. They had applied for anticipatory bail which was rejected.
Now the duo has approached the high court (HC) requesting bail,” Tasgaonkar said.
