Probe ordered after 7 aborted foetuses found in Mudalagi, health officials inspect 6 hospitals

BELAGAVI: In a shocking incident, seven aborted fetal remains were found in canisters on the outskirts of the Mudalagi village in Belagavi district on Friday. The state health department has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Locals found the foetuses in a drain near the Mudalagi town bus station and informed the police. After receiving information, police visited and inspected the site.

The drain where the foetuses were found.

“Seven fetuses were found in a canister. Five-month-old embryos were found to have foetal sex detection and murder. A team of officials will be formed and the matter will be investigated immediately after informing the district authorities,” Dr Mahesh Koni, District Health and Family Welfare Officer told media persons here.

He further said, “The detected embryos were stored in a hospital and then brought to the District Functional Science Centre for testing.” A police case has been registered in this regard. Further investigation is under way.

Meanwhile, Dr Veena Kanakareddy of Venkatesh Maternity and Scanning Centre, on Saturday admitted that the foetuses were indeed from their establishment. Dr Veena and her husband Dr Srikanth Kanakareddy run the maternity centre.

Dr Veena Kanakareddy

“Earlier, we were functioning from a rented premises and we shifted to this building recently. We don’t know how the foetuses went missing during the shifting. We had stored foetuses which had genetic anomalies so that we could educate people”.

The foetuses were found in canisters.

The centre has a scanning machine but it is not registered under the KPMA Act and it is not known whether they have permission to conduct scanning. The centre may even be shut down, an official said.

Health officials conducted surprise checks on six hospitals.

On Saturday, the district health authorities, led by District Health Officer Dr Mahesh Koni, conducted surprise raids on six hospitals in Gokak and Mudalagi taluks, which have scanning facilities.

The authorities are also awaiting the report from the District Functional Science Centre after which further investigation will be speeded up.