Gurugram: Trio Arrested for Illicit Online Sale of MTP Kits
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Synopsis
A joint operation by Gurugram authorities led to the arrest of three individuals involved in the illegal online sale of medical termination of pregnancy kits. The arrests highlight the ongoing issue of unregulated medical practices and the importance of legal compliance in healthcare.
Key Takeaways
- Three individuals arrested for illegal online sale of MTP kits.
- MTP kits require a prescription from a licensed gynaecologist.
- Police investigation initiated after a complaint regarding illegal sales.
- Legal actions taken against both website owners and pharmacy owners.
- MTP Act regulates medical termination of pregnancy services.
Gurugram, Feb 13 (NationPress) A collaborative effort by the Gurugram Police and the health department has resulted in the apprehension of three individuals accused of illegally distributing medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits via an online platform.
Health officials have stated that these kits cannot be sold without a prescription from a licensed gynaecologist.
On February 11, a report was filed by the Nodal Officer of MTP at Sector-40 Police Station, Gurugram, indicating that a tip-off was received on February 7 regarding the unlawful sale of MTP kits online.
To capture the suspects, a health official placed an order for an MTP kit through the website. The suspects delivered the kit to the health officials, after which the incident was reported to the police.
Consequently, two distinct cases were filed against the website owner and the pharmacy store owners at Sector-40 Police Station, Gurugram, under the relevant sections of the BNS and the MTP Act.
During the investigation, the police successfully apprehended the three suspects on Wednesday. They have been identified as Apoorv Upadhyay (website owner), a resident of Badaun, Uttar Pradesh; Satyam Tripathi, from Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh; and Vipul Tyagi, residing on Loni Road, Delhi. Apoorv Upadhyay was arrested in Badaun, while Satyam Tripathi and Vipul Tyagi were detained in Ghaziabad.
According to Sandeep Kumar, spokesperson for the Gurugram police, Apoorv Upadhyay was arrested for one case, while Satyam Tripathi and Vipul Tyagi were arrested in a separate case for illegally distributing MTP kits from pharmacy stores named Sarvodaya and Medistore in Ghaziabad.
The suspects are currently in police custody for further questioning.
In the meantime, health officials emphasize that the online distribution of MTP kits is unequivocally illegal and that these drugs are intended solely for use in government hospitals and private hospitals certified by the government for early medical abortions up to nine weeks into a pregnancy, in compliance with the law.
The MTP Act allows for medical termination of pregnancy up to nine weeks using such MTP kits, and only under the guidance of registered gynaecologists at approved MTP centers.
