Thane, February 22, 2026: Police in Thane district of Maharashtra have busted an illegal egg donation racket that allegedly exploited economically vulnerable women and carried out repeated unlawful extraction procedures. Authorities arrested three women and launched a wider probe into a possible fertility network operating in the region.
Officials said the racket functioned from a residential apartment and a sonography centre in Joveli, Badlapur East, and may have generated large sums of money through the illegal sale of human eggs.
Police arrested:
Sulakshana Gadekar, 44
Ashwini Chabukswar, 29
Manjusha Wankhede, 46
The arrests took place on February 22, 2026. The accused were later remanded to police custody for seven days as investigators began examining financial transactions and digital records.
The operation was uncovered after a woman approached the Chief Medical Officer of Thane Sub District Hospital, Dr. Jyotsna Sawant, alleging repeated egg extraction procedures and irregular payments. Her complaint triggered a coordinated raid.
According to investigators, the accused targeted women facing financial distress and offered them between ₹25,000 and ₹30,000 per cycle to donate eggs.
Police believe at least 20 women were exploited. In one extreme case, a victim reportedly underwent egg extraction 33 times, far exceeding legal limits.
Authorities said the accused administered hormonal injections to stimulate egg production before arranging surgical extraction at fertility centers. The eggs were allegedly sold for several lakhs of rupees per transaction.
During searches at the Badlapur premises, police seized:
Hormonal injection materials
Sonography reports
Affidavits prepared under false names
Suspected forged documents
Mobile phones containing financial transaction records
Investigators revealed that the racket had previously operated from Vangani before shifting its base to Badlapur.
Ulhasnagar Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Gore confirmed that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act, 2021.
The Assisted Reproductive Technology Act regulates fertility clinics and strictly limits egg donation frequency. Commercial trading of human eggs and repeated extraction beyond prescribed limits violate national medical guidelines.
Police are now examining whether IVF clinics or other intermediaries were knowingly involved. Officials have indicated that further arrests are possible.
Authorities suspect the racket may form part of a larger illegal fertility network operating across parts of Maharashtra. Financial trails and call records are being analysed to identify additional beneficiaries and collaborators.
Officials stated that protecting vulnerable women from medical exploitation remains a priority as the investigation continues.
(Rh/ARC)
