The duo of doctors from Beed who had been on the run after they were found to have been carrying out illegal abortions and sex-determination tests, surrendered before the district police on Sunday. On Monday, a local court in Beed remanded them to police custody till June 30.
Sudam Munde and his wife, Saraswati Munde, have been absconding since the end of last month. A sting operation had revealed that their clinic flouted the Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques and Medical Termination of Pregnancy Acts. Also, the doctors were found to have fed the aborted foetuses to dogs.
A police complaint was registered last month after a pregnant woman died at the clinic after undergoing an illegal abortion.
State Health Minister Suresh Shetty told reporters on Monday that he had taken up the issue with the Home department. “We have asked for the stricter Section of 304 II [punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, a cognisable, non-bailable offence],” he said.
The Munde case has sent shock waves across Maharashtra and put the establishment under pressure to take action against the erring medicos.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said the government would be forming a special legal task-force to examine the case so that the duo does not go scot-free.
Mr. Chavan said a special government prosecutor would be appointed to ensure fast-tracking of the case. Sena leader Neelam Gorhe demanded a fast-track court and an in-camera trial.
Keywords: Beed doctors, police custody
These criminals ought to be given the strictest possible punishment as
per law. They are a shame to their profession, their country and
humanity.
Please Email the Editor