Doctor arrested for illegal sex determination at Salem Govt Hospital

Salem: Following a recent tip-off, a doctor and a middleman were arrested on Friday for illegally determining the sex of a foetus at the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital.

Acting swiftly on the information, a team led by Salem District Joint Director (Medical Services), Dr. Nandhini, conducted a surprise raid on the hospital’s ultrasound scan room. During the operation, a doctor was caught disclosing the sex of the unborn child to a pregnant woman, a clear violation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

They were later arrested and will be placed in judicial custody at the Salem central prison, sources said, reports TOI.

The PCPNDT Act, enacted in 1994 and amended in 2003, strictly prohibits the disclosure of the sex of the foetus to curb female foeticide and ensure gender equity in the country. Violation of the Act can lead to imprisonment, hefty fines, and cancellation of medical licenses.

Also Read: Rs 15,000 per procedure: PHC gynaecologist, nurse held in sex determination racket

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that a recent decoy operation led by a special investigation team busted an illegal sex determination and abortion racket operating in the Salem district. The operation reportedly led to the arrest of a female gynaecologist, a nurse and four middlemen on Wednesday. The special probe team, consisting of health department officials from the Salem and Krishnagiri districts, along with the police, uncovered a disturbing operation following the arrest of these six accused individuals.