According to the investigation, pregnant women who allegedly underwent illegal prenatal sex determination by the main accused, Annasaheb Giri, were taken to Mangalmurti Hospital in Pargaon, where illegal abortions were allegedly carried out by Dr Shitole.
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The investigation into an alleged illegal prenatal sex determination and female foeticide racket in Pune district has widened further, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) making two fresh arrests after gathering substantial evidence during the probe. The accused were produced before the court and have been sent to police custody till July 1, officials said.
The arrests were made in the case registered under Yavat Police Station jurisdiction. Police Inspector Santosh Tasgaonkar, in charge of Yavat Police Station and head of the SIT, confirmed the development.
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The arrested accused have been identified as Sumant Tukaram Shitole, associated with Mangalmurti Hospital, Pargaon, Taluka Daund, Pune district, and Bapurao Pandharinath Jambale, a resident of Vasunde, Taluka Daund, Pune district.
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According to the investigation, pregnant women who allegedly underwent illegal prenatal sex determination by the main accused, Annasaheb Giri, were taken to Mangalmurti Hospital in Pargaon, where illegal abortions were allegedly carried out by Dr Shitole.
Investigators also found that Bapurao Pandharinath Jambale allegedly worked as an agent in the racket and supplied restricted medicines and injections required for carrying out the illegal abortion procedures to the main accused.
A total of 12 people have been booked so far in connection with the alleged female foeticide racket operating across Pune district and surrounding areas. Of these, nine accused have been arrested, while two doctors remain absconding and are being traced by police teams.
The arrested accused include Annasaheb Giri, Dr Atul Ankush Jadhav, Narendra Sahebrao Thakare, Dr Sangeeta Pandurang Gaikwad, Sadichha Shinde, Amit Tengale, Sachin Kadam, Dr Sumant Tukaram Shitole, and Bapurao Pandharinath Jamble.
The two absconding accused have been identified as Dr Mandar Mali, a resident of Kikvi in Bhor taluka, and Sundaram Kadam, a resident of Uruli Kanchan. Police teams are conducting searches to apprehend them.
Another accused, Nilkanth Jadhav, has already been arrested in a separate criminal case. However, the SIT has not yet taken his custody in connection with the present investigation.
The racket is suspected to have been involved in a large number of illegal female foeticide cases across Pune district and nearby areas. However, the SIT has not disclosed the exact number of cases allegedly linked to the network.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeepsingh Gill, Additional Superintendent of Police Ganesh Biradar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Economic Offences Branch) Rajendra Mayne, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Bapurao Dadas.
The investigation is being led by Police Inspector Santosh Tasgaonkar, who heads the SIT. The team carried out a confidential and systematic investigation that led to the arrests.
Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing probe, the identities of other officers and personnel associated with the SIT have not been disclosed, Police Inspector Santosh Tasgaonkar stated.
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