Ex-IMA Maharashtra chief Dr Ravindra Kute arrested in illegal sex determination racket

MUMBAI: In a major crackdown on an illegal sex determination racket, police have arrested Dr Ravindra Kute, former president of the Indian Medical Association’s Maharashtra chapter, for his alleged involvement in conducting illegal abortions and sex determination tests, an official said on Saturday.The arrest comes after an investigation into a racket allegedly operating across Ahilyanagar and Pune, involving a network of agents and doctors in violation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, the official added.According to news agency PTI, Dr Kute was arrested in Rahata on Wednesday and has been remanded in police custody, the official said.A probe revealed that he allegedly performed illegal abortions on several women, the official added.The official further said that police have so far arrested 12 people, including two doctors, three agents, and relatives of women who were brought in for illegal sex determination tests and abortions.Additional Superintendent of Police (Shrirampur) Somnath Waghchaure and his team led the operation, which uncovered that the racket was spread across Pune and Ahilyanagar. Further investigation in the case is underway.Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra has clarified that it does not protect any member found violating laws related to sex determination."IMA Maharashtra State does not support or protect any member or office-bearer involved in violations of the PCPNDT Act. In the case of Dr Ravindra Kute, the police and the court will carry out the legal process based on the available evidence," stated a release issued by the medical body's president, Dr Santosh Kulkarni, and secretary Dr Vikrant Desai.Taking serious cognisance of the arrest, the state branch has initiated internal proceedings, it said."As per the constitution and disciplinary provisions of the IMA, the Maharashtra State Branch has immediately forwarded a proposal regarding Dr Kute to the National President, IMA HQ, for appropriate action," the official release confirmed.The IMA stated it has consistently worked with the Maharashtra Public Health Department to implement the PCPNDT Act and has been an active participant in the "Beti Bachao" campaign. (With agency inputs)