Tamil Nadu: Two private hospitals under scanner for alleged trade of minor girl's embryo

Unable to bear the trauma, she had run away from her home and reached a relative's place and lodged a complaint with the police, she said.

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In her complaint, the girl stated that she had sold her embryo eight times and her mother used to get Rs 20,000 for each sale. The girl also said that a woman, Malathi was the agent between her mother and the hospitals. She said that Malathi was given Rs 5,000 as her commission.

Erode police on Friday arrested the girl's mother, her lover, and agent Malathi. Another person John who had tampered with evidence was also arrested. Police said that all four were charged under the Prevention of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

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Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian, while speaking to IANS, pointed out: "It's brought into my notice and have directed the state health secretary to take immediate action against the erring hospitals. The district health authorities have already served notices to the hospitals and stringent action will be taken against these hospitals."

Dr Suchitra Menon, Gynecologist and senior professor at a private medical college in Chennai while speaking to IANS said: "This is shocking. The hospitals and their management have to be given strong punishment for exploiting the helplessness of a minor girl. If the hospitals had reported to the authorities on this such a thing would not have continued."

The health department, according to sources, is also planning a statewide crackdown on hospitals to find out whether such illegal practices are being carried out in other hospitals as well.