Illegal sex determination centres raided in Cuttack; ultrasound machines, medicines seized

Despite crackdowns in the past, it seems that a complete check on illegal sex determination centres in various parts of Odisha has not been possible yet. This was evident after several ultrasound machines and pregnancy termination medicines were seized during a raid in Cuttack on Wednesday.

The Health Department along with district administration officials and police conducted raids at three places including Roxy Lane at Badambadi and Link Road in the Millennium City today. However, the prime accused is said to be absconding.

The raid was conducted based on allegations that pregnant women from various parts of the state were brought to these illegal centres in Cuttack to determine the sex of the foetuses. A huge price was also being charged to the people by such illegal sex determination centres.

Two ultrasound machines and some medicines used in terminating pregnancy were also seized during the raid today.

Cuttack Drugs Inspector, Dharmadeb Puhan said, “After getting confidential information, we conducted the raid and seized several medicines including some used for termination of pregnancy. Our investigation is underway.”

ADPHO of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Batakrushna Mahala said, “At the nursing home, we found a machine and we are trying to ascertain the source. We have found that the patients were being brought from various parts of the state through some middlemen.”

It is pertinent to mention here that a sex determination machine was also recently seized from a doctor’s house at Friend’s Colony area in the city. The doctor was subsequently arrested by Police while the ultrasound machine and other computers were seized following the raid.

It is alleged that illegal sex determination is being conducted at several clinics and diagnostic centres in different parts of the city.

Deputy Collector, Alakarani Debata said, “In their statement, the owner-cum-manager said that patients used to come from Balasore, Nayagarh, Bhadrak. Only after further investigation, more details can be ascertained.”