Crime Patrol: Doc, husband held for forcible abortion (Episode 579 on 30th Oct, 2015)

The Inside Story

AHMEDABAD: Vatva police officials on Saturday arrested a doctor and husband of a woman who died during alleged forcible abortion on June 6.



Mother of two daughters Deepika Singhal, 29, a resident of Sarkhej, died during abortion at a private hospital in Narol on June 6. Deepika's mother Abubahen Gohil has alleged in her complaint with Vatva police that Deepika was forced to undergo abortion at six months of her pregnancy after her in-laws got it confirmed through an illegal sonography that her third child was a girl again.



Based on her complaint, Vatva police arrested Dr Mehul Panchal of Darshan Hospital who performed the abortion and Deepika's husband Rajesh Singhal.



Police said they are hunting four other accused namely Deepika's father-in-law Jetha Singhal, her mother-in-law Leela and doctor's two associates — Harshad Rai Pathak and Hitesh Nisaria.



Vatva police station inspector Jaideep Sarvaiya said Deepika was married to Rajesh about 10 years back. Deepika had given birth to two daughters and was pregnant with the third child.



"After three months of pregnancy Deepika's husband Rajesh took her to Dr Mehul Panchal's clinic in Narol for sex determination. The sonography report confirmed third girl child in Deepika's womb," said Sarvaiya.



Sub-inspector K S Patel, who is probing the case, said as Deepika declined to go for abortion, her husband Rajesh, father-in-law Jetha and mother-in-law Leela subjected her to physical and mental torture.



According to police, during the sixth month of her pregnancy, they forcibly took Deepika for abortion at Dr Panchal's clinic.



It needs mention that law permits abortion up to 20 weeks. Deepika had completed 24 weeks. "Deepika's condition worsened during the abortion and she had to be rushed to another hospital for treatment. Deepika died on the same day due to excessive bleeding," said sub-inspector Patel.



Police said Deepika's mother approached them with a complaint on Friday. "We've registered FIR under various sections of the IPC and PNDT act against the accused," added Patel.



Thanks to:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Doc-husband-held-for-forcible-abortion/articleshow/48038296.cms