Agents booked, five fertility centres named in Hyderabad’s illegal oocyte racket; Telangana Women’s Commission questions inaction

HYDERABAD While cases have been registered against a few agents in connection with the alleged illegal collection of eggs (oocytes) from economically vulnerable women, the Telangana Women’s Commission has questioned why no legal action has been initiated against the hospitals and fertility centres allegedly involved in the racket. The alleged exploitation came to light after 43 women were rescued during simultaneous raids in Hyderabad.

Women from economically weaker sections were allegedly offered between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000 for an egg donation cycle, while those operating the racket reportedly made an average of about ₹3 lakh from each cycle. Expressing strong displeasure over the delay, the Commission said that despite its directions to the concerned authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the hospitals and laboratories allegedly involved, no concrete steps had been taken against the institutions so far.