Published Aug 28, 2026 | 9:17 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 28, 2026 | 9:17 PM
The woman died on 27 August, two days after undergoing abortion.
Synopsis: According to Yerragondapalem police, the abortion procedure was carried out on 25 August by unqualified medical staff at the hospital run by a registered medical practitioner. The doctor allegedly provided instructions remotely over a video call. Mahabunni’s condition deteriorated further, leading to her death on Thursday, 27 August.
A 31-year-old pregnant woman died at Yerragondapalem in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district after an abortion was allegedly performed by medical staff acting on the instructions of a doctor over a video call.
The incident has prompted the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council to announce an inquiry into what it described as allegations of unauthorised medical practice.
The woman, identified as Shaik Mahabunni, was around six months pregnant and was admitted to a private hospital in Yerragondapalem on 25 August after developing a severe headache and abdominal pain.
According to Yerragondapalem police, the abortion procedure was carried out by unqualified medical staff at the hospital run by a registered medical practitioner. The doctor allegedly provided instructions remotely over a video call. Mahabunni’s condition deteriorated further, leading to her death on Thursday, 27 August.
The Andhra Pradesh Medical Council, in a statement issued on Friday, 28 August, said it would investigate the allegations through its Anti-Quackery Committee.
Council chairman Dr Garlapati Nanda Kishore said the committee would establish the facts and recommend action within the council’s powers.
The council also said that carrying out modern medical procedures, including abortions, requires the appropriate medical qualifications and a valid registration. It warned that unauthorised practice and quackery would not be tolerated.
Also Read: Karnataka health department busts cross-border foeticide racket in Andhra Pradesh
An FIR registered at the Yerragondapalem police station presented a different account of the circumstances surrounding Mahabunni’s death.
According to the FIR, her husband, Shaik Chinna Bhaji, said that he believed she died because of her existing health problems and that he had no suspicion regarding her death. The case was registered as an unnatural death, with the FIR naming no accused.
Local media reports raised suspicions about a possible female foeticide and that the abortion was carried out following an illegal sex determination test, as Chinna Bhaji and Mahibunni already have two girl children.
Deva Kumar, Sub-Inspector at Yerragondapalem police station, told South First that the family was reluctant to file an FIR.
“We had to push them to file an FIR. They denied any wrongdoing by the hospital,” said Kumar.
Regarding the claims made in the local media, Kumar said that the hospital was not equipped to perform a scan, but shared that they have not ruled out abortion.
“District Medical officers have visited the hospital today for an enquiry. We are also awaiting a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report to proceed with the further investigation,” he added.
