Five more arrested in Sangli illegal abortion racket

Pune: The Sangli police on Wednesday arrested five more people — including two doctors for allegedly conducting sex-determination tests, in connection with illegal abortions performed by Dr Babasaheb Khidrapure. The police also seized four imaging machines used for sex determination from the two arrested doctors. Last week, 19 aborted foetuses were found dumped near Khidrapure’s hospital in a suspected cross-border female foeticide racket.

The racket came to light after a 26-year-old patient died on March 1 due to a botched medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) on February 27.

While the police arrested Dr Khidrapure on Tuesday, the deceased woman’s husband was held on Monday. Dr Khidrapure, a homoeopathic doctor, who allegedly performed sex-selective abortions, was arrested by the police from Belgaum, Karnataka.

Along with the doctors, the police also arrested a medicine supplier for providing abortions pills. Sunil Kashikar Khedkar (35) from Sangli was also arrested for providing Misoprost abortion tablets.

Dr Ramesh Devagikar (64), an accused was arrested from Vijapur district of Karnataka. The doctor runs a hospital where sex determination tests were conducted regularly. The police also arrested Dr Srihari Ghodake (68) from Kagwad village of Belgaum district of Karnataka.

Umesh Salunkhe (28), assistant and Kanchan Joge, a nurse at Dr Khidrapure’s hospital, were also arrested under Indian Penal Code section 34 for assisting in the doctors in the crime.

State health minister Deepak Sawant visited the hospital and the farm where 19 foetuses were found. He promised a detailed enquiry and said that stern action would be taken against the accused. Meanwhile, over 100 women from Mhaisal village held a peace march against Dr Khidrapure.