Prayagraj IVF Centers Under Fire After Minor Exploitation Bust

In Prayagraj, a crackdown on illegal ova extraction has led to intense scrutiny of all 11 registered In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) centers. The action was prompted by the exposure of a criminal network allegedly luring unmarried minor girls into undergoing ova extraction procedures for financial incentives. This procedure involves retrieving eggs from a woman for fertility treatments.

The investigation intensified after a 15-year-old girl from Phaphamau was subjected to the illegal procedure, reportedly facilitated by a forged Aadhaar card and affidavit presenting her as an adult. Police have since arrested seven individuals connected to the alleged operation, including agents and family members. The minor has been placed in protective care.

Authorities have formally requested senior health officials to initiate a comprehensive verification process for all IVF centers. This includes examining their operations, the backgrounds of agents, call records, and donor details from the past five years. The alleged activities appear to violate the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, which strictly prohibits egg donation by minors and mandates specific donor eligibility criteria.