Hyderabad: In a major crackdown, Hyderabad's North Zone Police, in coordination with the Medical and Health Department, have unearthed a large-scale illegal surrogacy and baby-selling racket being run through a network of fertility centres across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The case was disclosed by North Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police S Rashmi Perumal, IPS, during a press conference held at her office on Sunday.
The prime accused, Dr Athaluri Namratha, owner of Universal Srushti Fertility Centres, was arrested along with nine others for their role in the racket.
According to Reshmi, the case came to light when a couple approached Gopalapuram Police earlier this month, alleging that they were misled into believing that a baby handed over to them following surrogacy treatment was biologically theirs.
The couple had paid over Rs 35 lakh to the clinic and were issued a birth certificate falsely naming them as the child’s biological parents. However, a subsequent DNA test proved otherwise. When they demanded answers and supporting documents from the clinic, they were denied access and allegedly threatened, prompting them to approach the authorities.
The investigation revealed that Dr Namratha had been operating multiple fertility clinics in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Kondapur. Despite a previous cancellation of her clinic’s registration by the Medical and Health Department, she continued to run operations by using the name of another certified doctor on official documents. Her son, an advocate by profession, was reportedly handling financial operations and allegedly intimidated clients who raised concerns.
Simultaneous raids conducted at the Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam clinics led to the arrest of the accused and seizure of medical equipment, forged documents, and digital devices linked to the offences. Police also arrested the biological parents of the baby, a couple from Assam residing in Hyderabad, who were found to have Rs 90,000 in exchange for the newborn.
Further investigation established that Dr Namratha had been collecting between Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh from clients under false assurances of successful IVF treatments and biological offspring.
Vulnerable women, particularly those seeking abortions, were lured into continuing their pregnancies in exchange for money. These newborns were then passed off as surrogate babies, with falsified documents handed over to unsuspecting couples.
More than ten cases have previously been registered against the accused at various police stations, including Maharanipeta and II Town in Visakhapatnam, Kothapeta in Guntur, and Gopalapuram in Hyderabad. The present operation was conducted by a joint team led by ACP Gopalapuram and included Task Force personnel under the supervision of Rashmi Perumal.
“The racket was highly organised, involving forged documents, fake birth certificates, intimidation, and the use of unlicensed medical practices,” said DCP Rashmi Perumal.
The police have urged the public to be cautious and to verify the credentials of any fertility clinic before undergoing treatment. Commercial surrogacy is illegal in India, and any institution offering such services must be reported immediately.
Authorities have called on victims of similar fraudulent practices to come forward and assured that strict legal action will be taken against all those involved in human trafficking, illegal surrogacy, and exploitation.
