Surat Hospital Sealed After Raid Uncovers ‘Illegal Abortion, Pregnancy Testing’ Racket; Pharmacist Booked

Surat: Health authorities have sealed Mamata Multi-Specialty Hospital in the Varachha area of the city after a raid allegedly uncovered an illegal pregnancy testing and abortion racket being operated by a pharmacist previously booked in a similar case.

The raid was carried out by a team led by Chief District Health Officer Dr Anil B. Patel at the hospital near Labheshwar Crossroads following specific inputs that pharmacist Ramgopal Kishan Khandelwal had resumed illegal activities despite earlier action against him in 2025.

Based on the findings, Varachha police registered an FIR against Khandelwal under various provisions of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act. The first and second floors of the hospital premises were sealed by the health department.

Officials said Khandelwal, who is not a qualified doctor and is only a pharmacist, was allegedly conducting abortion procedures on women visiting the hospital.

During the raid, officials found two female staff members and three pregnant women at the hospital. Preliminary inquiry revealed that the women had allegedly come to undergo illegal abortions. One of the women was from Vyara, while another was from Shirpur.

Investigators said statements of the women and questioning of a female housekeeping staff member indicated that Khandelwal himself was performing procedures at the hospital.

Following the raid, the health department arranged for the women to be shifted to Surat Civil Hospital for medical examination and further treatment. However, a 24-year-old pregnant woman from Vyara allegedly escaped from the premises during the commotion, while the remaining two women were admitted to New Civil Hospital.

Officials said Khandelwal had earlier operated a similar facility under the name Shivaay Multi-Specialty Hospital in Varachha. In November 2025, the district health department had raided the hospital and booked Khandelwal along with Dr Mitesh Kanti Dhorajiya, hospital RMO Milan Sodagar, and nurse Kalpanaben Pawar in connection with illegal pregnancy testing and abortion activities.

According to investigators, Khandelwal resumed operations after securing bail in the earlier case and allegedly started a fresh setup under the name Mamata Multi-Specialty Hospital in the same area.

Dr Anil Patel said the information regarding the alleged illegal activities was received through the Health Minister’s office, following which a coordinated raid was conducted with police support.

Police teams have been formed to trace Khandelwal, who is currently absconding. Authorities are also probing whether other medical professionals or white-collar individuals were involved in the racket. DeshGujarat