The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has taken decisive action in connection with the illegal gender determination and female foeticide racket uncovered in Kedgaon, Daund taluka. A doctor from Pargaon and an agent have been arrested in the case. Police Inspector Santosh Tasgaonkar of the Yavat Police Station shared details of the operation on Saturday.

The arrested accused have been identified as Dr. Sumant Tukaram Shitole (38, of Mangalmurti Hospital, Pargaon, Daund) and agent Bapurao Pandharinath Jamble (57, of Vasunde, Daund). The Daund court has ordered both accused to be remanded to police custody until July 1.

Illegal Abortions and Supply of Banned Drugs Exposed

According to Police Inspector Santosh Tasgaonkar, the pregnant women whose illegal gender determination tests were conducted by the prime accused, Dr. Annasaheb Giri, were brought by Dr. Sumant Shitole to his ‘Mangalmurti Hospital’ to undergo illegal abortions. Meanwhile, the second accused, Bapurao Jamble, operated as an active agent within this racket.

The investigation further revealed that Jamble was responsible for supplying highly sensitive and prohibited medicines and injections required for the illegal abortions to the main accused at Gaikwad Hospital. Prior to this, the police had already arrested two agents, while two other doctors remain at large.

“Female foeticide and illegal gender determination are severe crimes that leave a dark blot on our social well-being. No doctor, agent, or middleman who is directly or indirectly involved, assisting, or misusing the medical profession in this racket will be spared. The police administration’s arrest drive will continue unabated until all such perpetrators threatening our social fabric are tracked down and brought to strict justice under the law.” — Santosh Tasgaonkar, Police Inspector, Yavat Police Station