Patran (Patiala): The discovery of a widespread illegal abortion scam after discovery of foetuses from the premises of a local nursing home has revealed a much larger nexus involving midwives operating in the villages of Sangrur and Patiala districts, as well as adjoining areas of Haryana.

Police officials on Sunday claimed that Pritam Singh and his wife Amarjit Kaur, both of whom owned Sahib Nursing Home, carried out their illegal activities in close liaison with midwives. The couple had allegedly developed a nexus with the midwives of the neighbouring villages, who used to get cases of abortion and delivery from their native villages to the hospital on commission basis.

Preliminary interrogation of the couple revealed that the commission used to be fixed on the basis of the age of the foetus. Aborting a six-month foetus meant that the `customer' would have to dish-out more money as the risk factor was higher.

The couple whose three-day remand expired on Sunday were produced before Samana judicial magistrate Sham Lal, who remanded both to 13-days judicial custody.

Though the involvement of midwives in the crime has been revealed by the accused couple, but so far neither the police nor the health authorities have proceeded against anyone of them. Senior police officials when contacted said that they were collecting more evidence about the involvement of midwives.

During interrogation the couple revealed that they charged from Rs 1,200 to Rs 10,000 per case depending on the condition and status of the `customer'. Inquiries by health authorities have already established that a majority of the foetuses aborted were females.

According to the police Pritam Singh joined the Army as a sepoy in the year 1971 and retired in 1987. Thereafter he came into contact with a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) and after learning a few tips he started a clinic in Sardoolgarh along with his wife Amarjit Kaur, who had worked as midwife at her native village.

Thereafter the couple shifted to Patran and started their own nursing home, where they conducted illegal abortions.

The first well with dumped foetuses and placenta was found on August 9 and two days later the second well was dug up in which tiny bones of foetuses and decayed clothes were found. -- UNI

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