Former IMA Maharashtra chief arrested in illegal sex determination racket

In a major crackdown on an alleged illegal sex determination and abortion racket operating across parts of Maharashtra police have arrested Ravindra Kute the former president of the Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association IMA officials said on Saturday reported PTIAccording to police Dr Kute was arrested in Rahata on Wednesday following an investigation into a network allegedly involved in conducting illegal prenatal sex determination tests and abortions in violation of the PreConception and PreNatal Diagnostic Techniques PCPNDT ActOfficials said the investigation has uncovered links between agents doctors and families allegedly involved in arranging illegal procedures across Ahilyanagar and Pune districts reported PTIProbe Reveals Alleged Network Of Doctors And AgentsPolice officials said the racket allegedly involved multiple individuals coordinating illegal sex determination tests and abortions through an organised network reported PTIDuring the investigation authorities allegedly found evidence suggesting that Dr Kute had performed illegal abortions on several women who were brought in through agents connected to the racketSo far police have arrested 12 individuals in connection with the case including two doctors three agents and relatives of women who allegedly underwent illegal proceduresThe operation was led by Additional Superintendent of Police Somnath Waghchaure and his teamOfficials said the investigation revealed that the illegal activities were spread across Pune and Ahilyanagar districts with further inquiries underway to identify additional individuals involved in the network reported PTIPCPNDT Act Violations Under InvestigationThe case is being investigated under provisions of the PCPNDT Act which prohibits prenatal sex determination and regulates diagnostic techniques to prevent sexselective abortions reported PTIAuthorities have intensified monitoring of illegal sex determination practices in recent years due to concerns over declining gender ratios and organised medical rackets operating covertly in some regionsPolice officials said they are examining medical records communication details and financial transactions linked to the accused as part of the ongoing investigationFurther arrests are likely as investigators continue to trace the wider network allegedly involved in arranging illegal medical proceduresIMA Maharashtra Distances Itself From Accused DoctorFollowing the arrest Indian Medical Association Maharashtra issued a statement clarifying that the organisation does not support or protect any member found violating laws related to sex determinationIn an official statement issued by IMA Maharashtra president Santosh Kulkarni and secretary Vikrant Desai the association stated that legal proceedings would continue based on evidence gathered by the police and courts reported PTIldquoIMA Maharashtra State does not support or protect any member or officebearer involved in violations of the PCPNDT Actrdquo the statement said reported PTIThe association also confirmed that internal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Dr Kute following his arrestInternal Action Initiated By Medical AssociationAccording to the statement the Maharashtra branch of the IMA has forwarded a proposal to the national leadership seeking appropriate action against Dr Kute under the organisationrsquos constitutional and disciplinary provisionsThe association said it has consistently worked alongside Maharashtrarsquos Public Health Department to support implementation of the PCPNDT Act and awareness campaigns aimed at preventing female foeticide and gender discriminationIMA Maharashtra also highlighted its participation in public awareness initiatives focused on protecting the rights of girl children and discouraging illegal sex determination practicesThe latest arrests have once again drawn attention to the continued challenge of enforcing antisex determination laws and monitoring illegal medical practices in parts of the country despite strict legal provisionsWith inputs from PTI