Hemlata Darji from Dholka started out working as a nurse in a hospital but later began running an illegal abortion racket. She pretended to be a gynaecologist and carried out abortions without having a medical degree. She was caught red-handed on Monday while doing one such procedure in a guest house room in Bavla town.
A joint team of Ahmedabad Rural SOG and Bavla health officials raided Room No. 105 of Panama Guest House following a tip-off and found Hemlata in the middle of an abortion. The woman undergoing the procedure – believed to be in her 30s – was rushed to hospital.
During the raid, police seized abortion pills like Misoprostol and Mifepristone, syringes, gloves, and antiseptic – clear signs of an illegal setup. The guest house owner is also under the scanner.
Police said Hemlata had worked earlier as a nurse in Dholka’s Santokba Hospital. She used that experience to build trust amongst women looking to end pregnancies and charged them hefty sums for abortions done in unsafe, unlicensed setups.
A case has been filed under BNS sections 91, 92, 54, and sections 5(2) and 5(3) of the MTP Act. Police believe Hemlata may not be the only one operating this way and are looking into possible links with other unqualified practitioners.
sources said, “She has been doing this for the last 2-3 years,”Most of the time, she went to women’s homes. But when clients came from other cities – like the two women from Vadodara found during the raid – she rented rooms in local guest houses to carry out the procedures.”
Investigators say Hemlata ran at least three to four abortions a month. Along with her, two women were detained – one of them is Hemlata’s sister-in-law, whilst the other was the woman undergoing the abortion. Officers are now trying to trace others involved in what appears to be a wider network. Sources said one more arrest is expected soon as the investigation progresses.
Serious health risks ignored
According to Rakesh Mehta, Health Officer of Bavla Taluka,”Performing abortions without proper qualification, licence, and in a non-approved place is illegal under India’s Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. It also poses serious risks to woman’s life and reproductive health. Stringent action and further scrutiny is underway.”