In a significant crackdown on illegal prenatal sex determination and abortion activities, police in Maharashtra’s Jalna district have unearthed a clandestine operation functioning from a cattle shed in Nanja Wadi village, Bhokardan tehsil. Two individuals were arrested on Wednesday while conducting illicit sex determination tests, marking a firm step against a persistent violation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

The raid, conducted jointly by police and health authorities following a tip-off, revealed that neither of the accused individuals—Satish Sonawane and Keshav Gawande—was a qualified medical professional. Sonawane, a Class 12 graduate from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, has previously faced similar charges across Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, and Jalna districts. Gawande is the owner of Tejas Pathology Lab in Bhokardan tehsil and was allegedly complicit in the operation.

Authorities discovered the facility operating inside a tin-shed cattle enclosure, located adjacent to a Zilla Parishad school in the Gawliwadi area of the village. The accused had deliberately relocated the operation to the cattle shed to evade public scrutiny and had been running it for approximately six months. During the raid, three women waiting for sex determination tests were also found, indicating ongoing activity at the time of intervention.

Police seized critical evidence from the site, including medical testing materials, a portable machine used for sex determination, abortion pills, and mobile phones. The operation reportedly involved both foetal sex determination and illegal abortions, activities strictly prohibited under Indian law.

Officials noted that this incident is part of a continuing pattern of illegal operations in the region. A previous raid in July 2024 in Bhokardan tehsil resulted in the arrest of 28 people, including doctors, from Jalna and Buldhana districts for running similar unlawful abortion centres. Such cases highlight the ongoing challenges authorities face in curbing illegal medical practices and enforcing the PCPNDT Act.

Deputy Superintendent of Police for Bhokardan tehsil stated that stringent measures will be taken to ensure the accused are prosecuted under the relevant sections of the law. Authorities emphasized that the primary aim of the crackdown is not only to punish offenders but also to send a strong deterrent message against illegal sex determination practices that contribute to gender imbalance and endanger women’s health.

This case underscores the persistent challenge of clandestine medical practices in rural areas, where unqualified individuals often exploit vulnerable populations for monetary gain. The authorities have urged residents to report any suspicious medical activity to local health departments or law enforcement agencies to prevent such illegal operations from proliferating.

As investigations continue, police are probing the network that facilitated the illegal sex determination and abortion services, including any links with other pathology labs or medical practitioners in the region. The arrested individuals are currently in police custody and will face legal proceedings in accordance with the PCPNDT Act and other applicable laws.

The operation in Jalna serves as a reminder of the urgent need for vigilance and community participation to protect women’s health and uphold legal standards, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where oversight may be limited. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to strict enforcement and have assured the public that no leniency will be shown toward those found violating the law.

This latest raid adds to the growing record of authorities cracking down on illegal medical practices in Maharashtra, reinforcing the state’s commitment to combatting gender-based discrimination and safeguarding public health.