Maharashtra government to set up STF to regulate activities of sonography, IVF centres

Amid increasing sex determination cases, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said the government is set to launch a Statewide crackdown on illegal IVF and sonography centres by setting up a Special Task Force (STF) and considering bringing the offence concerning sex determination cases and illegal IVF cases under the ambit of organised crime.

Speaking during the Monsoon session of the State Assembly, Mr. Abitkar said: “The STF will regulate the activities of sonography centres and IVF centres. A law will be introduced concerning this by the next session of the State Assembly.” Mr. Abitkar’s announcement was a response to a question raised by Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi.

Mr. Azmi raised concerns over the Badlapur illegal IVF racket that came to light, where the vulnerable women allegedly sold eggs to an IVF centre for a sum between ₹18,000 to ₹25,000. He also demanded a report on the Statewide crackdown on sonography centres and IVF centres from April 16 to May 15.

In the last few months, Maharashtra witnessed several cases concerning illegal sex determination and illegal IVF procedures. This includes a case from Pune, where a 12-year-old person allegedly used a portable device to determine the sex of foetuses, leading to abortions and the uncovering of the Badlapur illegal IVF racket.

State-level data

According to data from the State Health department, Maharashtra has filed 625 court cases against individuals and institutions for violating the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act in the last 25 years (2001-2025). Among them, 462 cases were disposed of, 127 accused were convicted, while 332 were acquitted.

The existing Act, such as the PCPNDT Act enables District Appropriate Authorities (usually the District Civil Surgeon) to register and inspect all fertility clinics and IVF centres. Under the provisions of the Act, Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedure involving pre-conception sex selection is prohibited. In case of IVFs, the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021 requires all IVF clinics to register with the National Registry of ART Clinics and Banks under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), while Maharashtra also has its own IVF clinics registration under the Clinical Establishments Act.

Under PCPNDT, there is a three-tier authority hierarchy, including the Central Supervisory Board (CSB) chaired by the Union Health Minister, State Supervisory Board chaired by the State Health Minister and the authority at the district and municipal corporation level involved in registering clinics, conducting inspections, sealing machines, and filing complaints.

“Several unauthorised IVF centres are established. The STF will identify, investigate, and regulate the IVF centres,” Mr. Abitkar added.