Fifteen people charged in connection with egg donor exploitation in India

Fifteen people, including five doctors, have been charged in Maharashtra, India, following an investigation into the exploitation of financially vulnerable egg donors.

A nearly 5000-page chargesheet was filed before a court in Ulhasnagar. The investigation began in February after a woman reportedly approached a public health centre in Badlapur claiming that she had not been paid for donating her eggs (see BioNews 1329). Egg donation is tightly regulated in India, where the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act limits donation to one cycle in a woman's lifetime and bans commercialisation.

Local deputy commissioner of police Sachine Gore, told the Hindustan Times: 'As of now, our investigation is around 95 percent complete'. He added: 'We have booked 15 accused in the case and arrested eight. The remaining accused could also be arrested during further investigation, depending on their role in the racket.'

Investigators examined over 250 egg donation procedures involving more than 30 women. Police also allege that some women underwent repeated egg retrieval procedures in exchange for payments of 25,000-30,000 rupees (£200-£250) per cycle. One woman reportedly donated eggs at least 37 times, before recruiting other women to take part.

The investigation has been centred on clinics and medical practitioners across Maharashtra, including in Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Baramati. The chargesheet lists the statements of 25 witnesses and details the involvement of the accused in the network.

Authorities allege that women were injected with hormones without proper supervision before being transported to IVF clinics where their eggs were harvested and sold. Among those arrested is reportedly a nurse who conducted ultrasound scans without medical authorisation before sending the videos to agents in other states to help match donors and recipients.

Municipal authorities sealed Bhagwan Hospital in Ulhasnagar based on allegations of medical and record-keeping violations linked to the investigation. In April, police issued notices to four doctors linked with IVF centres in Mumbai, Thane and Baramati as the inquiry extended to 30 medical practitioners across the state.

Maharashtra's health minister, Prakash Abitkar, previously said the state government was pursuing a 'zero-tolerance policy' towards such practices. Police said further arrests remain possible as investigations continue.