Unlicensed Fertility Clinic Busted in Secunderabad, Seven Arrested

Swift Summary

• Seven individuals were detained by teh North Zone Task Force team for operating an unregistered fertility centre named “Indian Sperm Tech” in Secunderabad.
• the centre violated multiple provisions under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, including unauthorised reproductive procedures and improper handling of donor materials.
• The raid was conducted at regimental Bazaar near Secunderabad East Metro Station at 10 p.m., led by Deputy Chief Surgeon Dr P. Sridhar from the District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) team with police assistance from gopalapuram.
• Detained individuals include the alleged owner Pankaj Soni and staff members acting as brokers or donors; donor materials like semen and eggs were reportedly collected illegally for sale to private facilities.
• Authorities seized documents such as donor information records, payment registers, semen sample files, and surrogacy applications during the raid; premises operated without qualified medical staff or formal registration oversight.
• A case has been registered against Indian Sperm Tech under Sections 21, 26, and 27 of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The events surrounding this unregistered fertility centre highlight critical gaps in regulatory enforcement of India’s reproductive technology sector despite detailed legislation like the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act (ART Act), 2021. Underqualified personnel conducting sensitive medical procedures not only endanger patient safety but also undermine ethical practices within assisted reproduction frameworks designed to protect all stakeholders involved-patients, donors, doctors-and uphold openness through licensed operations.

This incident underscores a need for increased vigilance on compliance checks by local health authorities while ensuring awareness about existing legal protocols among practitioners in this rapidly growing field. Given its recent association with illegal surrogacy activities in Secunderabad-wich already raises concerns about exploitation-prompt action against violators could prevent further breaches that risk public trust in legitimate healthcare processes across India’s regulated fertility industry.

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