Hyderabad surrogacy scam busted: Couple finds baby's DNA not linked to them; doctor among 10 held

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A major illegal surrogacy and sperm trafficking racket has been busted in Secunderabad, leading to the arrest of ten people, including a doctor, NDTV reported.

The accused doctor was identified as Namrata, the manager of Universal Srushti Fertility Centre in Regimental Bazaar.

As per the report, the racket came to light after a couple from Rajasthan, now residing in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad, found out that the DNA of their child, born through surrogacy catered by the fertility centre, did not match with theirs and approached the police. Following this, the Hyderabad police raided the fertility centre.

Hyderabad North Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rashmi Perumal was quoted by NDTV as saying that: "The operation allegedly involved luring poor people into surrogacy and the illicit inter-state transfer of reproductive materials".

The couple approached the clinic last year and paid Rs 35 lakh for a surrogacy procedure. However, upon the birth of the baby this year, their request for DNA verification of the surrogate mother was repeatedly delayed by Dr Namrata, the report added.

The couple then arranged for independent DNA tests in Delhi. The results confirmed that the child shared no genetic link with them.

In June, when the couple confronted the doctor accused of the DNA evidence, Dr Namrata admitted to a "mix-up" and requested time to resolve the issue. However, she then went missing, prompting the couple to approach the Gopalapuram police, the report added.

Following this, the police conducted raids at the Universal Srushti Fertility Centre. During the operation, crucial documents were seized, and sperm samples were preserved for forensic examination.

The investigation unveiled a deeply entrenched interstate network. It was discovered that the clinic was allegedly involved in the illegal collection and transportation of sperm and eggs to other states, including Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. As per the report, the fertility centre was found to be collaborating with an unlicensed firm named Indian Sperm Tech.

As the probe widened, police arrested Pankaj Soni, the regional manager of Indian Sperm Tech, along with six other individuals identified as Sampath, Srinu, Jitender, Shiva, Manikantha, and Boro. These individuals are believed to have been actively involved in sourcing and shipping reproductive material across states.
As per the report, a woman was brought from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam by flight for the delivery, with Dr Namrata allegedly convincing the couple that the baby born to this woman was theirs through surrogacy. Investigations indicate that Dr Namrata lured poor people to act as surrogates.