Over 20 women exploited; police bust IVF-based egg donation racket targeting vulnerable women

MUMBAI: Police have arrested three women who are part of a racket that exploited financially vulnerable young women and used them for illegal egg donation. The group was operating mainly through IVF centres as part of infertility treatment services. According to the police, the accused would bring women willing to donate eggs to IVF centres, where medical procedures were carried out to extract the eggs and then sell them to other centres. The women were reportedly paid between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000. Hormone injections were also given to increase egg production, and some women were allegedly made to undergo the procedure up to 33 times.

As per existing rules, only married women are allowed to donate eggs, and that too only once, without any financial motive. However, the police found that these rules were violated and even unmarried women were used in the racket. Deputy Police Commissioner Sachin Gore said that more than 20 women had been exploited. The case came to light after a complaint was received at a primary health centre in Badlapur over non-payment of money. A doctor at the PHC immediately informed the police. Authorities are now investigating the possible involvement of more doctors and IVF centres in the case.