Former IMA Maharashtra chief arrested for alleged PC PNDT violations
Doctor Arrested
Mumbai: Busting an illegal sex determination racket, police have arrested the former president of the Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association, for his alleged involvement in performing illegal abortions and tests, PTI has reported. Currently, the accused doctor is in police custody.
An official told the agency today that the arrest follows a probe into a racket that allegedly spans Ahilyanagar and Pune, involving a network of agents and doctors violating the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.
According to the official, the ex-IMA Maharashtra Chief was arrested in Rahata on Wednesday and has been remanded in police custody. He added that a probe revealed that he allegedly performed illegal abortions on several women.
The official also said that so far, the police have arrested 12 individuals in this connection. The list includes two doctors, three agents, and relatives of the women, who were brought in for illegal sex determination tests and abortions.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Shrirampur) Somnath Waghchaure and his team led the operation, and found that the racket spanned Pune and Ahilyanagar, the official said, adding that further probe in the case is underway.
Stand of IMA Maharashtra:
Meanwhile, reacting to this development and also clarifying its stand regarding this, IMA Maharashtra has issued a release, confirming the arrest of the doctor for alleged violations of the PCPNDT Act.
In the release, issued by the association's president, Dr Kulkarni, and secretary, Dr Desai, the medical body clarified that it does not support or protect any member or office-bearer involved in violations of the PCPNDT Act.
While stating that the police and the court will carry out the legal process against the accused doctor based on available evidence, the association also added that it has notified the IMA Headquarters of the matter for necessary action.
"Simultaneously, the organisation has also taken serious cognizance of the matter. Proposal for Disciplinary Action As per the constitution and disciplinary provisions of the IMA, Maharashtra State Branch has immediately forwarded a proposal regarding Dr. *** to the National President, IMA HQ, for appropriate action. Strict action as per the rules will be taken against anyone whose actions bring disrepute to the organisation," stated the release.
The association mentioned how it has always worked shoulder to shoulder with the Maharashtra Public Health Department for effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act and has actively participated in awareness campaigns such as “Beti Bachao", and assured that this commitment will continue in the future as well.
"The organisation is bigger than any individual. In case of violation of the law, appropriate judicial as well as organisational action is necessary, and IMA has no difference of opinion on this matter," the release said.
