Ranchi: An illegal ultrasound centre operating from a residential building in the Pandra area of Ranchi has been busted by the district administration and health department. During a raid, officials caught three people red-handed while conducting ultrasound scans on pregnant women.
A portable ultrasound (USG) machine was seized from the spot, and legal action has been initiated against the accused under the PCPNDT Act.
Raid Conducted on Secret Information
According to officials, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri received information that an illegal ultrasound centre was being operated from a house near Ravi Steel Chowk in Pandra.
After verification, a special team was formed on the instructions of Civil Surgeon-cum-Chief Medical Officer Dr. Prabhat Kumar. During the raid, officials found three individuals using a portable ultrasound machine (Micromaxx, Serial No. WK1DPQ) to conduct scans on pregnant women.
The arrested accused have been identified as Suranjan Kumar, Akash Kumar, and Sheela Kumari.
Violation of PCPNDT Act
Preliminary investigations revealed that the ultrasound machine was being operated without valid registration. Authorities said this constitutes a clear violation of the PCPNDT Act, which strictly prohibits sex determination and related prenatal diagnostic practices aimed at identifying the sex of a fetus.
FIR Ordered Against the Accused
The Civil Surgeon has directed the Officer-in-Charge of Ratu Police Station to register an FIR against the three accused under the PCPNDT Act.
The seized machine and other evidence have been taken into custody for further investigation, and the case will be presented before the court.
Strict Action Against Illegal Sex Determination Activities
Civil Surgeon Dr. Prabhat Kumar stated that illegal ultrasound operations and sex determination-related activities will not be tolerated in the state.
He emphasized that authorities are closely monitoring such activities as part of efforts to strengthen the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative.
He also warned doctors and ultrasound centre operators that anyone found violating the law could face seizure of equipment, cancellation of licenses, and imprisonment.
