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A Hyderabad-based fertility clinic owner and seven others have been arrested for allegedly running an illegal surrogacy and baby-selling racket, police said on Sunday. The alleged operation came to light after a couple who had approached the clinic for fertility treatment discovered through a DNA test that the child given to them was not biologically theirs. The couple had paid over Rs 35 lakh to the clinic for what they were told was a legitimate surrogacy process, reports PTI.
The prime accused, Dr. A Namratha, 64, along with her associates and agents, allegedly exploited vulnerable women, particularly those seeking abortions, convincing them to carry the pregnancies to term in exchange for money. The newborns were then passed off as surrogate children to unsuspecting clients, police said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Zone) S Rashmi Perumal said the complainant couple had initially consulted the clinic in August 2024. After fertility tests, they were advised by Dr. Namratha to opt for surrogacy. The couple was referred to a Visakhapatnam branch for specimen collection and were told that the clinic would arrange a surrogate mother.
In June this year, the couple was informed that the surrogate had delivered a baby boy via C-section. The child was handed over to them with documentation falsely indicating that the baby was born to them, police said. The birth certificate was allegedly forged.
Suspicious of the documentation, the couple commissioned a DNA test, which confirmed the baby was not biologically related to either of them. When they sought answers, the clinic allegedly refused to provide documentation and issued threats, prompting the couple to approach police.
Following an investigation, authorities discovered the existence of a wider racket involving fertility clinics operated by Dr. Namratha in Vijayawada, Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Kondapur. She allegedly collected Rs 20–Rs 30 lakh from each client under false promises of surrogacy.
In this case, police identified the biological parents of the baby — a couple from Assam living in Hyderabad — who had handed over the child to the clinic in exchange for a small payment. The biological parents were also arrested under charges related to baby selling.
The child has been handed over to Shishu Vihar as per legal procedure.
Police dismissed media reports claiming the child had cancer or that donor sperm was used for IVF. “It is a case wherein the victim couple was told they were opting for surrogacy, but the baby was actually sold by the original parents and presented to them as theirs,” Perumal said.
The clinic in Gopalapuram has since been sealed with assistance from the Medical and Health Department. Authorities noted that the facility was previously de-registered but continued to operate under the name of another certified doctor.
Dr. Namratha’s son, an advocate, allegedly handled financial transactions and is accused of intimidating clients who raised objections.
More than 10 cases have previously been registered against the accused across Andhra Pradesh. The investigation is ongoing.
