Secunderabad: Srushti Fertility Centre doctor, lab technicians held for illegal surrogacy, sperm trafficking racket

Hyderabad: In a sensational crackdown, Hyderabad Police have uncovered a massive illegal surrogacy and baby-selling racket, arresting a fertility doctor and nine others for allegedly cheating couples, forging documents, and exploiting vulnerable women across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

DNA test triggers investigation

The scam came to light after a couple from Rajasthan, who sought IVF services at the Universal Srushti Fertility Centre in Secunderabad, became suspicious when a DNA test revealed that the child they received was not biologically related to them.

They had approached the clinic in August 2024 and were later redirected to its Visakhapatnam branch for sample collection. The clinic assured them that a surrogate would carry their child, and over the next nine months, the couple paid over Rs 35 lakh, receiving regular updates on the surrogate's “pregnancy.”

Forged birth certificate, intimidation

In June 2025, the clinic informed the couple that the baby had been delivered via C-section in Visakhapatnam. Upon arrival, the child was handed over along with forged documentation listing them as the biological parents.

However, a DNA test later proved there was no biological link. When the couple confronted the clinic, they were denied any records and allegedly threatened, prompting them to approach the police.

Doctor, associates arrested across two states

Police arrested the prime accused, Dr Athaluri Namratha (also known as Pachipala Namratha), 64, owner of Universal Srushti Fertility Centres operating in Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Kondapur.

Others arrested include:

Pachipala Jayanth Krishna (her son and a practicing advocate), C. Kalyani Atchayyamma, clinic manager, Gollamandala Chenna Rao, embryologist and lab technician, Nargula Sadanandam, anesthetist from Gandhi Hospital, Dhanasri Santoshi, Mohammed Ali Adik, and Nasreen Begum, clinic staff and agents and Biological parents of the child, originally from Assam.

The arrests followed coordinated raids at facilities in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, where police seized equipment, mobile phones, surrogacy records, and forged documents.

Exploitation of vulnerable women

According to police, Dr. Namratha had been operating fertility clinics since the late 1990s and gradually moved into unethical and illegal practices. She and her associates targeted vulnerable women—particularly those seeking abortions—coercing them into continuing their pregnancies in return for money.

These babies were later passed off as products of IVF and sold to unsuspecting couples who believed the children were biologically theirs.

Multiple cases, forged medical records

Investigators revealed that over 10 previous cases had already been registered against the doctor and her team in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur.

Despite the Medical and Health Department cancelling her registration, the accused continued to operate under the name of another certified doctor, Suri Shrimati, to maintain the clinic’s legality on paper. Her son, an advocate, allegedly handled financial transactions and threatened clients who raised concerns.

What was seized

During the raids, authorities confiscated high-end medical and IVF equipment, medicines and prescription drugs, digital devices used for communication and surrogacy contracts and forged birth certificates. The clinic in Gopalapuram has been sealed, and further investigations are underway.

Legal action ongoing

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Zone), S. Rashmi Perumal, confirmed that a case has been registered and legal proceedings are in motion. Authorities are investigating whether other families were similarly defrauded.

She urged potential victims to come forward and assured that strict action will be taken against those involved in such inhuman exploitation under the guise of fertility treatments.