Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday began questioning Dr Athaluri Namratha and other accused at Chanchalguda Jail in connection with a sprawling illegal surrogacy racket that allegedly operated for over a decade.
Court allows interrogation till October 28
ED officials are questioning Dr Namratha, her son Jayanth Krishna, Muthipeta Nandini, and Dhanasri Santoshi Chitikireddi Kalyani following permission granted by the Nampally criminal court.
The court has allowed the agency to conduct interrogations in jail until October 28.
ED raids across cities under PMLA
Last month, the ED conducted searches in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Investigators seized incriminating documents, details of couples allegedly defrauded, and properties linked to Dr Namratha.
The documents indicated that she offered surrogacy services to couples across multiple cities, including Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Nellore, and Kolkata.
Allegations of fraud, infant trafficking and forged records
The investigation stems from multiple FIRs registered by Gopalapuram Police Station in Hyderabad, citing fraud, cheating, criminal conspiracy, illegal surrogacy and child trafficking.
The racket, uncovered in August, allegedly duped couples with fake IVF and surrogacy packages and involved infant trafficking, forged records, and illegal operations even after the clinic’s license was cancelled in 2021.
25 arrested so far
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Hyderabad Central Crime Station is probing the case. So far, around 25 accused have been arrested.
Documents seized during ED raids show that Dr Namratha allegedly created surrogacy agreements to give the impression that childless couples and surrogate mothers voluntarily approached her, while she merely provided the services.
Alleged operations spanning over 10 years
Evidence indicates that Dr Namratha’s alleged illegal activities in surrogacy and related practices extended for more than a decade, affecting couples across India.
