Hisar, Haryana: Authorities arrested a doctor and three others after a late night raid exposed an illegal fetal sex determination operation at a private clinic in Hisar. The Health Department conducted the operation following specific information about unlawful practices in violation of the Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.
The arrests took place after officials carried out a carefully planned decoy operation to catch those involved in the illegal activity. The case highlights continued enforcement efforts against sex determination practices, which remain a serious social and legal issue.
According to officials, the Health Department received information that a clinic in Hisar was allegedly offering illegal fetal sex determination services. Acting on the tip off, a special team organized a decoy operation involving a pregnant woman.
The woman was sent to the clinic carrying ₹35,000 in marked currency notes. Investigators said the money was meant as payment for determining the sex of the fetus, which is strictly prohibited under Indian law. Once the suspected transaction took place inside the clinic, the raid team entered the premises and caught those involved.
During the raid, officials detained four individuals. Those arrested include Dr. Anant Ram Barwala, clinic owner Surajmal, an employee identified as Prem, and a woman named Priyanka. Authorities confirmed that all four were present at or connected to the clinic at the time of the operation.
Following their arrest, the accused were produced before a local court. The court sent Surajmal to police custody for two days, while the remaining accused were remanded to judicial custody.
During the search of the clinic, officials seized a portable ultrasound machine along with its charger. Investigators said the machine was allegedly being used for illegal prenatal procedures.
The team also recovered six medical termination of pregnancy kits and a stock of allopathic medicines from the premises. Officials noted that the clinic failed to maintain mandatory documentation required under the law.
Significantly, no Form F was found for the decoy patient. Form F is a compulsory record under the PCPNDT Act (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 and is required for every prenatal diagnostic procedure. The absence of this document is considered a serious violation.
Authorities registered the case under provisions of the PCPNDT Act, which prohibits sex selection and prenatal sex determination.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are examining all seized materials as part of the case.
(Rh/ARC)