Radiologist, Nurse Caught in Abortion Scam

In a deeply troubling case from Gujarat, where the child sex ratio remains critically skewed, authorities have uncovered a shocking illegal abortion network operating out of Ahmedabad and surrounding areas. According to police, the racket involved performing sex determination tests and unsafe abortions not just in hidden clinics, but also directly at patients’ homes.

How the Operation Worked

Police say that the network was managed by two key individuals: Dr. Harshad Acharya, a radiologist, and Hemlata Darji, a nurse. The duo operated across multiple cities including Ahmedabad, Anand, and Vadodara.

Investigators revealed that the two would identify the sex of the fetus which is strictly prohibited by law in India at Acharya’s diagnostic center in Odhav, Ahmedabad. If the fetus was female, they allegedly offered abortion services at the patient’s home, charging Rs 15,000 for each case. Nurse Darji was reportedly paid Rs 7,000 per case.

Abortion at Home

In what is believed to be the first known instance of this kind in Gujarat, police reported that at least five abortions were conducted inside the homes of clients. An additional three procedures took place at a guesthouse in Bavla.

“These were not accidental or makeshift events,” said a senior officer with the Ahmedabad Rural Police. “It was a mobile setup designed to keep everything under wraps. Patients didn’t even need to visit a clinic the entire process was arranged at their homes.”

Misuse of Medical Supplies and Lack of Qualifications

Authorities further stated that Hemlata Darji used medicines reportedly taken from a private hospital where she previously worked to manage complications such as excessive bleeding during the abortions. Darji does not hold valid medical qualifications to perform abortions, which added to the gravity of the violations.

The Role of Code Language and Secrecy

To maintain secrecy, the accused reportedly used code words to convey the fetus’s sex. A smile accompanied by the word “aashirwad” (blessings) meant a male child. If Acharya said “theek thai jashe” (everything will be alright) with a serious tone, it signified a female fetus.

Clients were carefully chosen through personal contacts, and many procedures were conducted without keeping any patient records. Police say the accused claimed to remember only the locations of the procedures, not the identities of the women involved.

Legal Implications and Current Status

Both individuals have been arrested. Darji was caught in the act at a Bavla guesthouse performing an abortion, and Acharya was arrested the following day. They face multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
Authorities have also confirmed that clients who underwent these illegal procedures will be treated as co-accused. Investigators are currently verifying whether any abortions were conducted beyond the legal 24-week limit, which would be a further violation of Indian law.

Conclusion

Despite nationwide awareness efforts and strict legal prohibitions, female foeticide continues to thrive underground. The 2011 Census recorded Gujarat’s child sex ratio at a troubling 890 girls for every 1,000 boys far below the national average.
“This case shows how deep-rooted the preference for male children still is,” the police officer noted by small, secretive networks willing to exploit the system.”
Public health experts urge stronger surveillance, widespread education, and improved access to safe, legal reproductive health services to counter this alarming trend.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.