The issue of female foeticide in Beed has snowballed after a doctor was arrested in connection with the two foetuses found on Saturday was found to have conducted another illegal abortion on the same day. The discovery has once again given rise to fears of a widespread illegal abortion racket being run out of several hospitals and clinics, prompting a citywide operation by the authorities.
The Beed police had on Saturday night arrested Dr Shivaji Sanap for operating illegally out of his hospital, which was shut down by the authorities some months ago. Two of his employees, Manisha Jawle and Mangal Dighe, were also arrested. During inquiries, it was discovered that Sanap had conducted an abortion on a teenage unmarried girl from Beed. Families of the girls who underwent the abortions have also been booked by the police.
Teams from the Beed police have now launched a massive operation, assisted by five special squads appointed by the home department, which are probing all the maternity homes and nursing homes with ultra-sonography facilities or any other equipment enabling pregnancy tests.