Hyderabad: Nearly three days after busting an illegal surrogacy racket in Petbasheerabad, police have identified at least six hospitals suspected of colluding with the accused and carrying out unlawful surrogacy procedures. Notices will be issued to them on Monday, Inspector Vijayavardhan said, though the names of the hospitals have not been officially disclosed yet.
On August 14, the Petbasheerabad police, along with the Cyberabad SOT, arrested a woman, Laxmi Reddy, and her son, Narender Reddy, a chemical engineer, for allegedly running the racket from their residence. Police said the duo facilitated egg collection and arranged surrogate mothers for multiple fertility centres in the city.
Eight persons were arrested during the raid — the mother-son duo and six women engaged as surrogate mothers. The six women were shifted to a state-run shelter home, while police are seeking custody of the main accused for further investigation. A diary containing details of around 50 women linked to the racket was also seized.
Investigators said at least two of the women engaged by the accused are currently pregnant. The district health department has been directed to monitor their health and extend medical support. Officials also noted that some women had been forced into repeated surrogacy, causing serious deterioration in their health.
Police are now focusing on identifying the couples and fertility centre managers who entered into agreements with the women. The unborn children will be handed over to their biological parents, though legal action against them will be decided after obtaining a legal opinion, the police said.
