Oocyte extraction racket: Women paid ₹20,000 as operators made around ₹3 lakh per cycle

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LB Nagar DCP B. Anuradha along with the rescued women during a press conference in the city on Saturday (October 31). | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

Women recruited from economically weaker sections were being offered ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 for an egg donation cycle, while those operating the alleged racket made an average of about ₹3 lakh from each cycle.

Malkajgiri police widened their investigation into the exploitation of women, falsification of records and the role of IVF and fertility establishments.

The 43 women rescued during simultaneous raids in Hyderabad have undergone medical examinations, including blood-group and fitness tests. Police are now verifying their medical histories with IVF centres to establish their treatment records.

The investigation has raised concerns over how the women were recruited and whether they gave informed consent for the procedures. Police said women from economically weaker sections were targeted and that, in some cases, intermediaries allegedly even completed their signatures on documents. Investigators are examining possible falsification of records and whether the women fully understood the procedures they were being recruited for.

Police are tracing the payments and commissions involving organisers, recruiters and intermediaries who connected the women with fertility-related establishments.

The investigation is now expanding to medical establishments. Police are preparing to serve notices to the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) and conduct searches at ART and fertility centres. Some hospitals have also approached police and informed them that employees found to have been involved had been removed.

Investigators are examining how women from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states were recruited, transported and accommodated in Hyderabad before being referred for egg retrieval procedures. Their medical records, consent documents and the procedures they underwent are also being scrutinised.

All eight accused arrested in connection with the Hyderabad cases have been remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.

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