Pre-Natal Sex Determination Test Centre Raided In Cuttack, 2 Detained

The Commissionerate Police on Monday raided a diagnostic laboratory in Mangalabag area in Cuttack City for allegedly conducting pre-natal sex determination test which is banned.

The police have detained two workers of the laboratory in connection with the case. The two persons along with the owner of the building where the diagnostic laboratory operated are being questioned by the police.

Though the identity of the owner of the diagnostic centre is yet to be revealed, police sources said the man has passed Plus II and does not possess any medical qualification to run the laboratory.

Police said that the diagnostic centre used to charge Rs 5,000 for each test to determine the sex of the fetus. Police have also seized several equipment and machines used for carrying out the tests. 

Acting on a tipoff from a reliable source, the police sent a decoy, a pregnant woman, to the laboratory today seeking the pre-natal sex determination test. Once a deal was struck, the waiting police team raided the premises after the decoy customer sent an alert.

“We received an input that Alpha Healthcare Clinic in Kathagola Sahi under the Mangalabag Police Station limits is conducting the illegal pre-natal sex determination test. Following the information, we raided the laboratory while the staff was conducting the test on a pregnant today. The owner admitted that he was running the laboratory illegally,” informed an official of Mangalabag Police Station.

The Commissionerate Police suspects the involvement of many others in the illegal racket and enquiring the documents seized from the diagnostic centre. Further investigation into the matter is underway.