ED Raids 11 Premises Across Maharashtra In Alleged Illegal Human Egg Extraction & Commercial Sale Racket Involving Over 40 Women

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 11 premises across Maharashtra, including locations in Badlapur, Ulhasnagar, Nashik, and Baramati, as part of an investigation into an alleged illegal human egg extraction and sale racket. This racket allegedly involved over 40 economically vulnerable women who were exploited through repeated egg-retrieval procedures for monetary compensation, with each cycle reportedly fetching between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000.

The ED is probing the financial transactions linked to the alleged operation and the roles of intermediaries and medical establishments suspected of facilitating the procedures.

The searches targeted fertility centers, hospitals, and premises associated with arrested agents and other accused individuals. In Ulhasnagar, the ED searched properties linked to arrested agent Manjusha Wankhede, a local agent responsible for procuring women, managing logistical transit points, and arranging illegal sonographies.

Ashwini Rupesh Chabukswar, another arrested agent, also had his premises searched. Additionally, an unauthorized IVF facility in Badlapur and an IVF center in Nashik, along with the residential and official premises of its director, were also raided.

The ED's investigation stems from an inquiry initiated by the Badlapur police, which filed a chargesheet in May 2026. The chargesheet alleged that women were recruited and induced to undergo repeated egg-retrieval procedures for payment, with these women ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per cycle. Some women were reported to have undergone the procedure up to 33 times.

Physicians allegedly administered hormonal injections to stimulate egg production before the women were sent to IVF centers for egg extraction, which was then sold commercially. One woman allegedly underwent the procedure 33 times. Physicians were reportedly paid in cash for facilitating these procedures, and the police investigation uncovered the use of forged identification documents to conceal the women's identities and facilitate repeated egg donations.