The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized Rs 29 lakh in cash and frozen bank lockers and mutual fund investments during searches at 10 premises in Thane, Baramati and Nashik. The investigation concerns an alleged network accused of recruiting financially vulnerable women for human egg extraction and supplying them to IVF centres and assisted reproductive technology banks through intermediaries. The agency has also reported recovering documents and digital devices and identifying additional donor agents. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations have not been established as criminal guilt by a court.
ED Seizes Rs 29 Lakh in Maharashtra IVF Racket Money-Laundering Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized Rs 29 lakh in cash and frozen financial assets in an investigation into an alleged network involved in illegal extraction and sale of human eggs through unauthorised fertility centres.
Mumbai: The ED last week registered a money-laundering case in connection with alleged illegal practices at unauthorised in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) centres in Thane, Baramati and Nashik and conducted searches at 10 premises.
The places searched included hospitals and IVF clinics. As part of the ongoing probe, investigators also froze bank lockers and mutual fund investments.
ED Maharashtra IVF racket investigation examines donor recruitment
The network, which was allegedly involved, recruited financially vulnerable women through donor-supply agencies and offered them Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 for their eggs, the ED said.
Investigators believe women were allegedly sent to different establishments for human egg retrieval in Maharashtra and other states. The alleged practices may have exposed donors to medical risk in connection with those procedures.
The agency also said that in the course of its investigation, it has identified other donor agents and is investigating any possible links they may have to the network.
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Investigation into unauthorised IVF and ART centres continues
The case relates to alleged illegal stimulation, extraction and sale of human eggs through unauthorised IVF and ART facilities. The ED is looking into the money transactions tied to the alleged activities.
The cash seizure and freezing of financial assets is part of the agency’s money laundering investigation. The source report did not include additional details on any possible arrests, further seizures, or charges.
The investigation is still ongoing, and the allegations have not been proven to be offences. Sprouts News will continue to follow developments as authorities investigate the network and the role of suspected intermediaries.
