Srushti fertility scam: Dr. Namratha confesses to exploiting women, cheating couples

Hyderabad: Dr. Athaluri Namratha (64), chief of Universal Srushti Fertility Centre in Secunderabad, has confessed to running a multi-crore illegal surrogacy and baby trafficking racket, according to the Gopalapuram police seizure panchanama report.

Her statement details how poor women were exploited, childless couples duped, and medical ethics flouted in one of the most sensational fertility scams in recent years.

From gynaecologist to racket operator

A qualified gynaecologist from JJM Medical College, Dr. Namratha began her practice in Vijayawada in 1995 before expanding to Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam by 2007.

While initially treating infertility cases, she soon turned to commercial surrogacy, charging couples Rs 20–30 lakh per case. Police said she admitted to recommending surrogacy even when it was not medically necessary.

Agents targeted vulnerable women

In her confession, Dr. Namratha admitted to working with agents Sanjay, Nandini, and Santhoshi, who identified poor women, often those seeking abortions, and convinced them to carry pregnancies for small sums.

These women were then linked with desperate couples under the guise of IVF. Many clients paid lakhs, but either received babies unrelated to them or were denied treatment altogether.

Sonia–Govind Singh case exposed fraud

The racket came to light in 2024–25 when Sonia and Govind Singh lodged a complaint. After paying Rs 30 lakh, they were handed a baby delivered by Nasreen Begum, who had earlier sought an abortion.

When the couple demanded DNA proof, the clinic delayed and then cut off contact. A private DNA test confirmed the child was not theirs, prompting them to approach the police.

Son accused of silencing clients

Dr. Namratha’s son, advocate Jayath Krishna, also figured in the confession. He allegedly handled disputes at the Secunderabad centre, threatening dissatisfied couples with legal cases or forcing them into silence through intimidation.

Raids and seizures

Police arrested Dr. Namratha in Vijayawada on July 26, 2025 and brought her to Secunderabad, where raids uncovered incriminating evidence.

Seized material

The seized material included surrogacy files and hospital records, five hard disks and six RAMs with client data, two mobile phones (iPhone 13 Pro Max, Vivo dual SIM), Rs 40,000 cash from her desk, and embryos preserved in nitrogen tanks.

Past offences and cancelled licence

Police further revealed this was not her first brush with the law. She had earlier cheating cases in Visakhapatnam, Guntur, and Hyderabad. In 2020, she was arrested by Maharanipeta police, following which her hospital licence was revoked. Despite the cancellation, she continued fertility operations under different names with the support of associates.

SIT to probe wider nexus

Investigators suspect the illegal network extended to multiple centres in Secunderabad, Kondapur, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam, involving doctors, embryologists, nurses, and agents.

She now faces charges under Sections 61, 316, 318, 335, 336, and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as Sections 38, 39, and 40 of the Surrogacy Regulation Act.

The case has been transferred to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a wider probe into the surrogacy racket, said Gopalapuram Inspector of Police BV Kausheek.