Hyderabad Police have arrested 25 individuals in connection with a large-scale surrogacy and baby trafficking scam centered at the Universal Srushti Fertility Centre in Secunderabad, Telangana.
The investigation, triggered by a couple discovering the baby they received via surrogacy was not biologically related to them, has exposed a network led by Dr. A Namratha, allegedly defrauding around 80 couples.
Victims reportedly paid between Rs 12.5 lakh and Rs 44 lakh for IVF and surrogacy services, often receiving children with no genetic link or no child at all despite full payment.
The racket is accused of persuading couples to opt for surrogacy even when natural conception was possible, then supplying babies obtained through illicit means, including those purchased from poor families.
Investigations have revealed a complex trafficking network involving agents from within and outside Telangana, luring vulnerable women as surrogate mothers or to sell their infants.
Financial probes are ongoing to trace digital and cash transactions, with authorities examining potential tax evasion and money laundering, possibly involving the Enforcement Directorate.
Among the arrested are clinic staff, agents, the biological parents of an infant, and associates such as Dr. Vidyulatha from Visakhapatnam, accused of assisting in creating fake medical documents and conducting unauthorized procedures.
Notably, Dr. Namratha is alleged to have misused the medical license of a 94-year-old doctor without consent, prompting a separate FIR on impersonation and potential further misuse of medical credentials.
The Telangana government has responded by forming a high-level committee to inspect private IVF and fertility clinics statewide. The committee is tasked with ensuring compliance with the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, with a report due within ten days.
Currently, five accused, including Dr. Namratha, have sought bail, while police request custody for extended interrogation as the probe intensifies. Authorities continue to uncover the full scale of the fraud, with new complaints and FIRs still emerging.
READ MORE
