The Commission said cases had been registered only against a few agents while the alleged main perpetrators remained untouched.
Hyderabad:The Telangana State Women’s Commission has expressed serious displeasure over the delay in taking action against fertility centres allegedly involved in the illegal collection of eggs from poor women in a recent case cracked by Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate.
The Commission said cases had been registered only against a few agents while the alleged main perpetrators remained untouched. Chairperson Nerella Sharada stated that authorities had failed to conduct a comprehensive investigation despite being directed to probe the hospitals and laboratories concerned and take stringent action against those responsible.
During her interaction with victims, several women named Indira IVF Centre, Narmada Fertility Centre, Oasis Fertility Centre, Sadguru ART Centre and Padmaja Fertility Centre, besides a person identified as Dr Hussain, in their complaints. The Commission expressed particular concern over the failure to trace Dr Hussain or even register a case against him so far.
The Commission addressed the women as victims because they explained that they were forced into this illegal egg collection. Nerella Sharada also issued notices to these fertility centres, asking them to explain why their names had come up in the complaints, and directed them to appear before the Commission on Monday for clarification.
It also questioned Health and Medical Department officials for not initiating an investigation into the allegations against the hospitals and IVF centres, despite directions to conduct an immediate inquiry and take action against those found responsible.
The Commission warned that any further delay in registering cases against those involved in violations affecting women’s bodily autonomy, dignity and health would invite serious consequences, irrespective of the position or influence of the persons concerned.
