Srushti surrogacy racket: Three doctors from King George Hospital, Vizag held; total arrests reach 25

Visakhapatnam: Hyderabad police have arrested three doctors from King George Hospital (KGH), Visakhapatnam, for their alleged role in an illegal surrogacy and IVF racket allegedly involving Universal Srushti Fertility Centre.

With these arrests, the total number of accused taken into custody in the case has risen to 25.

Senior medics in net

The arrested doctors are Dr Vasupalli Ravi, Deputy Superintendent and head of the anaesthesia department; Dr Usha Devi, Assistant Professor in Obstetrics; and Dr Ramya from the Paediatrics department, reportedly a close aide of the racket’s alleged mastermind, Dr Namratha, owner of the fertility centre.

Police suspect more doctors could be involved, but have withheld names pending further investigation.

Alleged role in illegal services

According to investigators, the three doctors extended medical services to Universal Srushti Fertility Centre while employed full-time at KGH.

Dr Ravi and Dr Usha allegedly worked at the centre’s Visakhapatnam branch, facilitating illegal IVF and surrogacy procedures that police say defrauded several childless couples.

KGH Superintendent Dr Vani told this correspondent she did not know of the arrests.

Other arrests linked to Vizag

Two others from Visakhapatnam have also been arrested in connection with the case: Chitikireddi Kalyani Atchayyamma, manager of the centre’s Visakhapatnam branch, and Vidyulatha, a city resident detained at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, described as a close associate of Dr Namratha.

Victim numbers expected to rise

The number of victims in the IVF and illegal surrogacy racket could increase as the probe widens, the police said.