06 June,2026 09:40 AM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
Representation Pic/istock
Another case of illegal prenatal sex determination has come forward in the Pune district in which a mobile application, along with portable sonography equipment, was used to carry out the process. Prenatal sex determination is strictly illegal in India under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act, 1994.
After a similar case was exposed in Shirur taluka in March, authorities have now found evidence of the same method during a recent crackdown in the Yavat area of Daund taluka.
According to the health officials, a portable sonography probe is connected to a mobile application through Wi-Fi, enabling sonography scans to be conducted using a smartphone. Investigations indicate that the technology was used in some cases.
Following the latest revelations, the health department has launched inspections of all sonography centres, private hospitals, primary health centres, and Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) centres in Daund taluka. Authorities have been directed to submit detailed inspection reports within two days.
Health officials said that after the Shirur operation, the Pune district civil surgeon had written to the state government seeking a ban on the mobile application allegedly being used for such illegal activities. The department has now reiterated its demand for stricter regulation.
Investigations and enforcement actions carried out over the past few years have revealed that such activities are operating across five districts - Pune, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv, Satara, and Solapur. Officials have therefore been instructed to maintain close surveillance in these districts and strengthen inter-departmental coordination to curb the practice.
