Shocking Illegal Egg Harvesting Racket Exposed in Maharashtra

A disturbing incident has emerged from Badlapur, Maharashtra, where authorities have uncovered a shocking illegal egg harvesting operation. This syndicate exploited vulnerable women by extracting their eggs and selling them at exorbitant prices. Alarmingly, one victim underwent the egg extraction process 33 times, putting her life at significant risk. This raises serious questions about the involvement of hospitals and medical professionals in this network. Today, we will delve deeper into this alarming situation.

Victims were coerced into donating eggs, with initial investigations revealing that around forty women have been exploited. The issue came to light when one victim reported to a local health center that she had not received the promised compensation. Following this, the doctor alerted the police, prompting an investigation.

Repeated Egg Extraction
The investigation revealed that some women were subjected to multiple egg extractions. One woman was forced to undergo the procedure thirty-three times, despite regulations stating that a woman can only donate eggs once in her lifetime, and not for monetary gain.

Dr. Jyotsna Sawant from the local health center notified the police after assessing the woman's condition. Subsequently, law enforcement began probing the entire network. Officials believe this issue extends beyond a single location and is widespread across the state.

Raids Uncover Illegal Medications
Police conducted a raid at the residence of the main suspect, Sulakshana Gadekar, where the illegal operations were being conducted. They seized injections meant to accelerate the egg production process. Investigations revealed that women were administered these injections without proper medical guidance.

Following this, unauthorized ultrasound examinations were performed, and women were taken to various fertility treatment centers where their eggs were extracted in surgical rooms. Authorities also discovered numerous images on the suspect's mobile phone, including photos of medications, examination processes, women's images, and forged affidavits.

Targeting Economically Disadvantaged Women
In this case, police have also arrested Ashwini Chabaskar and Manjusha Wankhede. According to the police, Sulakshana Gadekar was the mastermind behind the entire operation, while the other two acted as agents. They targeted economically disadvantaged women, enticing them with financial incentives and preparing them for the entire process.

Authorities found several documents related to transactions. The investigation also revealed collusion with testing centers, fertility clinics, drug suppliers, and forgers. All three suspects have been presented in court, where they were remanded to police custody for seven days. Sachin Gore stated that three separate teams have been formed for an in-depth investigation into this matter.

Further Arrests Anticipated
Gore indicated that more arrests could follow. This case is linked to Thane district, and police suspect that this syndicate operates on a larger scale. Officials emphasize that such illegal activities pose serious health risks to women, making it a priority to expose the entire network and apprehend those responsible.