Eight arrested after DNA test exposes surrogacy scam in Hyderabad fertility clinic
The racket, run by Universal Srushti Fertility Centre, unravelled when a couple who paid Rs 35 lakh discovered through a DNA test that the two-day-old baby they were given wasn't biologically theirs. Eight people have been arrested, exposing a multi-city baby-selling operation.
The Gopalapuram police, with support from the revenue and health authorities, busted the illegal surrogacy and trafficking ring, which operated under the guise of IVF services.
Among those arrested are the clinic's founder, Dr Athaluri Namratha alias Pachipala Namratha (64), her son Pachipala Jayanth Krishna (25), clinic manager C Kalyani Atchayyamma (40), Gandhi Hospital anaesthetist Dr Nargula Sadanandam (41), lab technician Gollamandala Chenna Rao (37), agent Dhanasri Santoshi (38) and the baby's original parents — Mohammed Ali Adik (38) and Nasreen Begum (25). The rescued month-old baby has been placed in state care at Shishu Vihar.
According to DCP (North Zone) S Rashmi Perumal, the complainant couple from Rajasthan approached the Gopalapuram branch, Hyderabad, in August 2024. After an initial consultation, they
were referred to the Visakhapatnam branch for further procedures. Over nine months, they paid more than Rs 35 lakh, believing a surrogate had been arranged. In June 2025, the clinic informed them that a baby boy had been delivered via C-section. The child was handed over with a forged birth certificate listing the couple as biological parents.
Dr Sadanandam from Gandhi Hospital administered anaesthesia to women during deliveries in various cities as part of the illegal operation, the DCP said.
According to cops, the complainant couple grew suspicious that they had been handed someone else's baby after noticing striking differences in the infant's facial features. When the couple requested DNA verification of the surrogate, Dr Namratha allegedly stalled the process.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Double trouble for rule-breaking cops in Chandigarh
1 2 Chandigarh: In a move to clean up its own backyard, the UT police department has rolled out a no-nonsense directive: any police personnel caught flouting traffic rules will now face double the standard fine and a departmental inquiry. Issued by the DSP (traffic admin and south west Chandigarh), the order makes it crystal clear: whether in uniform or plain clothes, behind the wheel of a government vehicle or a private one — no cop is above the law. This crackdown comes in the wake of recent incidents where uniformed officers were caught red-handed violating traffic norms, with damning photos splashed across newspapers and social media. The department, keen to restore its image, is now taking a firm stand. Under Section 210(B) of the Motor Vehicle Act, enforcement officers who break traffic laws will be fined twice as much as ordinary citizens. And if that wasn't enough, they'll also face internal disciplinary action. The message? Disobedience will not be tolerated. From skipping helmets and seat belts to chatting on mobile phones while driving — violations that might have once slipped under the radar will now attract strict penalties. The department insists this move is essential to reinforce traffic discipline and ensure public safety. A senior police official stated that the motive behind imposing double penalties for enforcement officials is to highlight the importance of adhering to traffic rules, regardless of one's position or profession. "If a cop in uniform breaks the rules, how can he expect citizens to follow them? This isn't just about fines — it's about setting the right example." However, it is very rare to see a cop of Chandigarh police violating traffic rules in the city, another official added. While some officers claim such violations are rare, viral images of police vehicles ignoring zebra crossings or officers on calls while driving tell a different story. One constable even admitted that junior cops sometimes hesitate to ignore calls from seniors, a dilemma that's now under scrutiny. In Chandigarh, traffic violations carry varying fines depending on the severity and recurrence of the offence. For a first offence, failing to produce a driving licence incurs a fine of Rs 500, while driving without a licence attracts a hefty Rs 5000. Violating zebra markings or wrong parking each result in a Rs 500 fine initially, which increases to Rs 1000 for a second offence. Riding without a helmet or driving without a seat belt both lead to a Rs 1000 fine, regardless of whether it's the first or second offence. The use of a mobile phone while driving is penalized with Rs 2000 for the first offence and escalates sharply to Rs 10,000 for a repeat violation. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
ED searches 8 locations in Lucknow, Delhi in Rohtas projects fraud case
1 2 Lucknow: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out searches at eight premises — six in Lucknow and two in Delhi — in connection with the multi-crore Rohtas Projects fraud. The searches continued until the last reports came in. The ED also seized documents and papers, for which a forensic audit will be conducted. The probe stems from an ECIR registered in 2021 based on 48 FIRs filed by home and commercial space buyers, which have since risen to 88. A forensic audit by UP RERA pegged the proceeds of crime (POC) at Rs 248 crore. The firm's promoter brothers — Piyush Rastogi, Paresh Rastogi, and Deepak Rastogi — have been absconding for four years. ED sources said no property attachments were made by them so far due to a lack of evidence and the accused's non-cooperation. The searches aim to gather crucial records and trace assets for attachment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Sources privy to the probe revealed that the agency questioned the son of absconding Piyush Rastogi in Lucknow. The promoters or their legal representatives could not be contacted immediately for a comment on the ED action against them. In Oct 2023, a Lucknow court issued an order for confiscating property worth Rs 21 crore belonging to one Paresh Rastogi, accused in 82 cases registered against him since 2017 at various police stations. Total assets worth Rs 137 crore were confiscated by Lucknow police. The cases against the accused were registered in Hazratganj, Gautam Palli, Chinhat, Vibhuti Khand, and Gosaiganj police stations. Paresh Rastogi entered into the world of crime in 2007 and started buying and selling land/buildings. "To hide the money earned from crime, the accused formed a company named Rohtas Project Ltd. The accused then started purchasing property in the name of his company and in favour of his family members through benami transactions, and further properties were created illegally by using the property acquired through crime," said the officer. "Rastogi first defrauded people of crores of rupees in the name of constructing residential/commercial buildings and did not even provide residential/commercial buildings. When people wanted to withdraw their money, he kept giving them false consolation and tricking them for a long time and suppressed their voice due to his dominance," the officer added. CBI's anti-corruption bureau of the Lucknow unit has also registered a case against Rohtas Builders in connection with an alleged fraud worth Rs 16.87 crore. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mohali businessman gets death threat from ‘Bishnoi gang'
1 2 Mohali: A local businessman has claimed he was threatened with death and demanded Rs 10 crore in extortion by individuals allegedly linked to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Aerocity police have booked two suspects — Goldy Dhillon from Muktsar and Hari Bokson from Sonipat, Haryana — under BNS sections for extortion, criminal intimidation, conspiracy, and attempt to commit a crime punishable with life imprisonment. The victim, Gurinder Singh of Block F, Aerocity, who runs an education office in Chandigarh's Sector-47 with his father and brother Narinder Singh, received the first threat on July 7 around 7.15pm via a call from a foreign number. The caller, identifying himself as Goldy Dhillon, asked for Bhagwan Singh and, upon learning he was speaking to his son, rattled off personal details about the family, their office, and residence — before issuing a chilling demand: pay Rs 10 crore or face deadly consequences. Ignoring repeated calls over the next two days, Gurinder was soon bombarded with WhatsApp threats. On July 13, the caller reached out to his mother, threatening to shoot either her husband or sons and urging her to Google his name. The intimidation escalated on July 14 when another man, claiming to be from the "Bokson Bishnoi group," delivered a message from "Anmol Bhai" — pay up or die. The family was also sent photos of their home and vehicles, deepening their fear. Unable to bear the pressure, the family filed a formal complaint on Aug 10. Police have since registered a case and launched an investigation into the extortion racket. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
