ED Freezes Assets Worth Rs 29.76 Crore in Illegal Surrogacy Case
Synopsis
In a significant crackdown on illegal surrogacy, the ED has seized assets valued at Rs 29.76 crore linked to Dr. Namratha's surrogacy racket. This investigation sheds light on the exploitation of vulnerable families in the name of surrogacy.
Key Takeaways
ED seizes Rs 29.76 crore in illegal surrogacy case.
Namratha operated through Universal Srusthi Fertility & Research Centre.
Investigation reveals exploitation of vulnerable families.
Network of agents involved in trafficking newborns.
Ongoing investigations may uncover additional details.
Hyderabad, March 10 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally seized fifty immovable assets worth Rs 29.76 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with an illegal surrogacy racket.
The operation was led by Dr. Pachipalli Namratha, also known as Athluri Namratha, operating through Universal Srusthi Fertility & Research Centre.
The seized assets include various parcels of land, residential flats, and a hospital registered under Dr. Namratha and her sons. The current market valuation of these properties is estimated to be around Rs 50 crore, according to a statement from the ED.
The investigation was initiated following multiple FIRs filed by Gopalapuram Police Station in Hyderabad, citing fraud, cheating, criminal conspiracy, illegal surrogacy, and child trafficking.
Dr. Namratha was allegedly facilitating childless couples with newborns through a surrogacy scheme orchestrated via her clinic, along with the assistance of her employees and agents, the ED reported.
Investigations under the PMLA revealed that Dr. Namratha extracted significant sums from childless couples, promising the delivery of a baby through a surrogate. To present a legitimate facade, gametes were collected for implantation into a surrogate mother, but the newborns were actually sourced from impoverished and vulnerable families who wished to terminate their pregnancies.
The agency uncovered a network of agents and sub-agents involved in recruiting impoverished pregnant women, enticing them with monetary compensation to relinquish their children immediately after birth.
Further findings indicated that Dr. Namratha compensated around Rs 3.5 lakh for female infants and Rs 4.5 lakh for male infants. Deliveries took place at her hospital in Visakhapatnam, as her Secunderabad facility's license had been revoked. The birth records submitted to municipal authorities were also found to be forged, misrepresenting the childless couples as the biological parents.
The ED's investigation revealed that Dr. Namratha had been engaged in this illicit surrogacy scheme since 2014 and continued despite multiple cases being filed against her and her medical license being suspended.
Numerous couples fell victim to this scam, with substantial amounts collected from them in both cheques and cash. These funds were partially disbursed to agents/sub-agents as commissions and to the biological parents of the trafficked infants.
Analysis of Dr. Namratha's bank accounts confirmed the operations where funds from childless couples were redirected to pay agents/sub-agents, who then compensated the biological parents of the trafficked children.
During the PMLA investigation, several properties linked to Dr. Namratha and her sons were identified, with payments for many being made in cash derived from Proceeds of Crime.
The ED had previously apprehended Dr. Namratha on February 12, 2026, under Section 19 of the PMLA, and she is currently in judicial custody. Ongoing investigations are expected to yield further insights.
Point of View
Raising profound ethical questions about exploitation and the need for stricter regulations. The ED's decisive action serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations from exploitation.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the ED's investigation into the surrogacy racket?
The investigation was initiated based on multiple FIRs filed by Gopalapuram Police Station, highlighting allegations of fraud, cheating, and child trafficking.
How much money did Dr. Namratha allegedly collect from couples?
Dr. Namratha reportedly collected substantial sums from childless couples, promising them newborns through surrogacy.
What action did the ED take against Dr. Namratha?
The ED provisionally attached assets worth Rs 29.76 crore and arrested Dr. Namratha under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
What methods did Dr. Namratha use to operate her surrogacy racket?
Dr. Namratha used a network of agents to recruit impoverished pregnant women, offering them money to give up their newborns.
What further actions are being taken in this investigation?
The ED is continuing its investigation, uncovering more properties and financial transactions related to the surrogacy racket.
