In a joint operation on Wednesday, the Maharashtra and local police discovered a female foeticide racket that extended from Mahalingpur in the Bagalkot district to Kolhapur in Maharashtra. The incident came out after the death of a woman from Hatkalangda, Maharashtra, who succumbed to excessive bleeding after undergoing an abortion in Mahalingpur. The woman, Sonali Sachin Kadam, a mother of two daughters, had opted for the abortion upon discovering through a scan that her third child was also a girl.
The police arrested Vijay Gowli, Dr. Maruti Kharat, and Kavita Baadanavar in connection with the case. All three have been placed in judicial custody. Sonali Kadam, a resident of Alate in Kolhapur district, died hours after the abortion, which was carried out at Kavita Baadanavar's house in Mahalingpur. While transporting Sonali's body back to her native place, Maharashtra police intercepted the vehicle and discovered her body. This led them to the female foeticide operation centered in Mahalingpur.
The police have booked several individuals in the case, including Sanjay Gowli, Sangeeta Sanjay Gowli, and Vijay Sanjay Gowli of Doogaon in Maharashtra. Dr. Maruti Kharat of Kupwad, Dr. Kotwale of Athani, a sonographer from Maharashtra, and Kavita Baadanavar of Mahalingpur. Kavita Baadanavar, who worked as an ayah (attendant) at a private hospital, is identified as the mastermind behind the racket. Sources reveal that the health department had previously seized her house in 2019 and 2022 and booked her for quackery.
Sonali Kadam's death exposed the illegal network, leading the police to respond quickly. The investigation revealed that the operation involved prenatal sex determination, followed by illegal abortions if the fetus was found to be female. It is stated that the accused, including medical experts, helped with these treatments in order to take advantage of families that desired male children.
The arrest of the suspects has brought attention to the ongoing problem of female foeticide, a practice driven by deep-seated gender biases and social pressures.
The involvement of doctors Maruti Kharat and Kotwale highlights a concerning pattern of physicians engaging in illegal activities. The racket's systematic attempt to avoid legal investigation is further demonstrated by the sex of the fetus being determined with the assistance of a sonographer. The fact that people from several states, like Maharashtra and Karnataka, are involved.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)
