Cyberabad police recently busted a significant illegal commercial surrogacy and human egg trading racket operating in Hyderabad, leading to the arrest of eight individuals, including a mother-son duo. The accused allegedly engaged in deceptive recruitment of financially vulnerable women as surrogates and egg donors, collaborating with several fertility centres to profit from the high demand for assisted reproductive services.
This case has brought to light serious ethical and legal challenges surrounding the surrogacy industry in India and has intensified calls for stricter vigilance and enforcement.
Illegal Surrogacy and Egg Trading Network Unveiled
The police investigation revealed that the main accused, Narreddula Laxmi Reddy, a former egg donor and surrogate herself, along with her son Narender Reddy, orchestrated the illegal network. They targeted impoverished women primarily from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, enticing them with financial incentives. Although the women were reportedly aware that commercial surrogacy is prohibited under Indian law, their economic circumstances made them vulnerable to exploitation.
Medchal Deputy Commissioner of Police N Koti Reddy shared that the accused charged prospective parents amounts ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, while surrogate mothers and egg donors received comparatively meagre payments, often no more than ₹2 lakh. During multiple raids, police confiscated cash worth ₹6.47 lakh, along with medical supplies and multiple documents related to surrogacy arrangements. Six fertility clinics in Hyderabad, situated in prominent areas like Banjara Hills and Kondapur, are under active investigation for their possible complicity, with authorities seeking to establish how deeply these clinics were involved in or aware of the racket.
Growing Concerns Over Exploitation in Assisted Reproductive Technologies
The uncovering of this illegal network adds to mounting evidence of systemic exploitation linked to assisted reproductive technologies in India. Hyderabad, known as a hub for fertility treatments, has witnessed several recent surrogacy-related scandals. One notable case involved the Universal Srushti Fertility Centre, where around twenty-five arrests were made following revelations of fake surrogacy and child trafficking operations.
Officials highlight the ethical dilemmas and risks faced by surrogate mothers and egg donors, many of whom receive little protection or support. The financial gains mostly benefit intermediaries and unscrupulous operators, leaving vulnerable women exposed to health risks and social stigma. The substantial fees charged by clinics and agents starkly contrast with the limited compensation offered to the women directly bearing the physical and emotional burden of surrogacy.
Legal Context and Challenges in Enforcement
India’s legal framework prohibits commercial surrogacy under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, which permits only altruistic surrogacy for citizens in specific circumstances. The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, further regulates fertility clinics to ensure ethical practices and protect patient rights. Despite these laws, enforcement remains fragmented and often ineffective, enabling illegal practices to thrive in the shadows of the booming fertility industry.
The recurring emergence of such cases underscores the urgent need for the government and regulatory bodies to tighten oversight of fertility clinics and related intermediaries. Regular audits, transparent documentation, and strict penalties for violations are essential components in curbing this exploitation. Moreover, raising awareness among vulnerable communities about their rights and the risks associated with illegal surrogacy is equally vital.
The Logical Indian’s Take: Balancing Parenthood and Protection
At The Logical Indian, we recognise the profound yearning for parenthood shared across societies. Assisted reproductive technologies offer immense hope to many, but this hope must never come at the cost of human dignity or ethical compromises.
The exploitation uncovered in Hyderabad is a stark reminder that policies and practices need continual reassessment and robust implementation to safeguard all involved.
We advocate for medical transparency, compassionate regulation, and respect for women’s autonomy and health in reproductive matters. Protecting vulnerable women from being commodified, ensuring informed consent, and penalising profiteering agents are steps that must be prioritised. This issue is not merely medical or legal but deeply human, rooted in fairness, justice, and empathy.
