Gurgaon medical store booked for illegally selling abortion kits after raid by health department
The Gurgaon health department says that the raid uncovered MTP kits and surgical instruments used for pregnancy termination stored in a blue plastic drum at the back of the store in Wazirabad.
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The team handed over the seized materials, records, and video evidence to the police, who registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the MTP Act.The health department of Gurgaon district on Tuesday night raided a medical store in Wazirabad that was allegedly selling abortion kits despite not having a registered medical practitioner’s licence or a valid medical registration. The police registered an FIR on Wednesday afternoon in connection with the incident.
“A search of the premises uncovered MTP kits and surgical instruments used for pregnancy termination stored in a blue plastic drum at the back of the store. No MTP registration or retail/wholesale drug licence was found. The seizure was videographed, and the recovered MTP kit strips confirmed their use on the premises for performing abortions,” a spokesperson for the district administration said in a statement.
Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Jai Prakash, who also serves as the nodal officer for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) in the district, said the department had received information about illegal activities at the store, Abha Homoeo Optical and Dental Hygiene, on Khatu Shyam Road in Wazirabad. He added that Nani Sarkar, who operated the store, fled as the team arrived around 9 pm.
The team handed over the seized materials, records, and video evidence to the police, who registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the MTP Act.
Under the BNS, the offences invoked are under section 3(5), which pertains to joint criminal liability, suggesting the accused’s deliberate intent in running an illegal operation; section 88, addressing harm or endangerment to human safety through negligent acts, relevant due to the health risks of unauthorized abortions; section 91, covering negligent conduct involving drugs or medicines, applicable to the illegal sale of MTP kits; and section 125, dealing with acts endangering public safety, fitting the reckless operation of an unregulated store.
Under the MTP Act, the offences invoked are under section 3, which mandates that only registered medical practitioners can perform abortions under specific conditions, violated by the accused’s lack of qualifications; section 4, requiring terminations to occur in approved facilities, breached by the unapproved store; and section 5, which allows emergency terminations but imposes penalties for non-compliance with sections 3 and 4, for to the unauthorised use of MTP kits.
The raid was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar and Civil Surgeon Dr Alka Singh.
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