New Delhi, March 5 – The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of a media report that highlighted an alleged illegal racket involving the extraction and sale of eggs from financially vulnerable women in the Badlapur area of Maharashtra.
Describing the report as "disturbing," the Commission said the revelations point to an organized network that exploited women through repeated commercial egg donations, in clear violation of the provisions of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021.
According to the report cited by the Commission, the racket allegedly targeted economically vulnerable women and persuaded or coerced them into undergoing multiple egg extraction procedures for monetary gain.
Under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, egg donation is permitted only once in a lifetime, and any form of financial incentive or commercialization is strictly prohibited.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that at least 40 women may have been affected by the racket. In one particularly case, a victim was reportedly subjected to egg extraction procedures as many as 33 times, raising serious concerns about health risks and medical malpractice.
The NCW strongly condemned this, calling it "organized exploitation." It said that it not only endangers women's health but also violates their dignity, bodily autonomy, and legal protections.
NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to the Director General of Police of Maharashtra, directing that a thorough, impartial, and time-bound investigation be conducted into the matter.
The Commission has asked the state police to identify the entire network involved in the alleged racket, including any clinics, medical practitioners, agents, or intermediaries who may have facilitated or benefited from the illegal procedures.
It has also directed authorities to ensure that affected women receive necessary medical assistance, counseling, and protection.
The Maharashtra DGP has been asked to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) to the Commission within five days.
