Pune Rural Police Bust Illegal Sex-Determination Racket; Main Accused Arrested, Diagnostic Machine Seized
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 3rd June 2026: In a major operation against female foeticide and illegal pre-natal sex determination, Pune Rural Police have busted a well-organised racket allegedly operating across Pune and Ahilyanagar districts. Police have arrested the alleged kingpin, seized the diagnostic equipment used for illegal sex determination, and booked five persons under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The case was registered at Yavat Police Station following a complaint filed by Dr. Sachin Vitthal Gujar (40), a resident of Manjari, Pune. Dr. Gujar approached the police after receiving a video on May 14 that purportedly showed an illegal sex-determination test being conducted on a pregnant woman.
After verifying the video and identifying the person involved, Dr. Gujar lodged a formal complaint on May 19. Based on the complaint, Yavat Police registered Crime Register No. 466/2026 against Annasaheb Giri, a resident of Kedgaon in Daund taluka and originally from Ahilyanagar district.
Pune Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Singh Gill said the investigation uncovered a network involved in facilitating illegal sex-determination procedures, a practice prohibited under Indian law.
“The successful detection of this racket is the result of sustained investigation, technical analysis and coordinated efforts by the Yavat Police team. We have seized crucial evidence, including the machine allegedly used for sex determination, and are pursuing all individuals connected to the network. Strict action will be taken against those involved in offences that promote female foeticide and violate the PCPNDT Act,” Gill said.
Police arrested the main accused, Annasaheb Giri, on May 20. During successive periods of police custody, investigators claim to have uncovered the identities of several associates allegedly linked to the operation.
According to the police, Atul Ankush Jadhav of Wagholi was arrested on May 24 after being named by Giri during interrogation. Two more suspects, Mandar Suresh Mali of Bhor and Sundaram Kadam of Uruli Kanchan, were later identified and added to the case. Both are currently absconding.
Another accused, Narendra Sahebrao Thakare of Kesnand, is presently lodged in judicial custody in connection with a separate PCPNDT-related case registered at Wagholi Police Station. Pune Rural Police are initiating the process to secure his custody for further investigation.
Investigators said a key breakthrough came on May 31 when the illegal diagnostic machine allegedly used in the operation was recovered and seized following information provided by the main accused. Earlier, police had secured the original video evidence and documented statements from witnesses supporting the case.
As the probe progressed, police invoked additional legal provisions, including Section 3(5) of the BNS relating to common intention and Section 91 of the BNS concerning acts intended to prevent the birth of a child.
“We are examining financial transactions, call records and other technical evidence to identify beneficiaries, facilitators and potential clients linked to the racket. The investigation remains active and further arrests are expected,” Gill said.
So far, police have recorded statements from 15 witnesses. One crucial witness has given a statement before a magistrate under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), strengthening the evidentiary chain in the case.
The investigation is being supervised by Additional Superintendent of Police Ganesh Biradar and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Bapurao Dadam, while officers of Yavat Police Station continue efforts to trace the absconding accused and uncover the full extent of the illegal network.
