43 Women Rescued as Hyderabad Police Bust Illegal Egg Donation Racket

Police have busted an alleged illegal human oocyte (egg) extraction and commercial sale racket in Hyderabad, arresting eight persons and rescuing 43 women from different locations across the city.

The operation was conducted on October 31 by Begumpet and Saroornagar police, along with the Malkajgiri Commissionerate's Special Operations Team (SOT). Police searched four locations spread across the two commissionerates as part of the crackdown.

According to a police press release, the accused allegedly recruited women from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states, brought them to Hyderabad and accommodated them in rented premises before referring them to IVF and fertility centres for egg donation procedures.

The rescued women reportedly told police that they had been promised Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per egg donation cycle. Some women also stated that they had been administered hormonal injections and medicines in preparation for the proposed procedures.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the alleged network operated through organisers, recruiters, agents and intermediaries who identified women in different states by offering financial incentives. The accused allegedly coordinated their recruitment, transportation, accommodation and referrals, with suspected financial arrangements linked to these activities.

Police identified Amit Sharma (44), a native of Indore residing in Hyderabad, as the suspected main organiser in both cases. Nikkat Parveen (31), a Kolkata native, was identified as an alleged co-organiser and recruiter. The other arrested persons include an IVF agent and coordinators.

Investigators seized documents, mobile phones and other materials for examination. They are verifying the rescued women's identities, recruitment circumstances and medical histories, besides investigating suspected forged Aadhaar cards and other documents.

The probe is also examining financial transactions, medical records, safety protocols and the involvement of fertility centres and ART banks under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. Police are investigating possible coercion, deception, exploitation and human trafficking.

Separate cases have been registered at Begumpet and Saroornagar police stations under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the ART Act.

The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B Sumathi. Police appealed to the public to remain vigilant against suspicious recruitment, transportation and accommodation of women in the name of medical procedures, employment or fertility-related services. They also advised people approaching fertility centres to understand the applicable legal provisions and exercise due care.