Illegal sex determination racket busted at a farmhouse near Bannur Highway

In January 2024, the state government established a dedicated State Task Force Committee to ensure the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

South First Desk

Published Oct 23, 2025 | 3:31 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 23, 2025 | 3:31 PM

Sex determination. (Creative commons)

Synopsis: During the raid, four pregnant women were found undergoing illegal sex determination tests. Scanning equipment was seized, and an FIR has been registered under the PCPNDT Act.

Karnataka Health Department officials on Thursday, 23 October, busted an illegal sex determination racket at a farmhouse in Hunaganahalli near Bannur Highway.

Sharing the news, Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao on X posted “Through a secret operation, health department officials have successfully nabbed the foeticide perpetrators. It has been detected that sex determination activities are being conducted with the help of a pregnant woman.”

During the raid, four pregnant women were found undergoing illegal sex determination tests. Scanning equipment was seized, and an FIR has been registered under the (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) PCPNDT Act.

Noting that female foeticide is a social scourge, the minister added, “Society must become aware of this and step forward to wage a war against foeticide. The health department is always with those who cooperate against foeticide perpetrators. No matter who they are or how big they are, our government is committed to cracking down on female foeticide perpetrators.”

ಬನ್ನೂರು ಹೈವೇ ಬಳಿಯ ಹುಣಗನಹಳ್ಳಿ ಫಾರಂ ಹೌಸ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಲಿಂಗ ಭ್ರೂಣ ಪತ್ತೆ ಕಾರ್ಯ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನ ಪತ್ತೆ ಹಚ್ಚಲಾಗಿದೆ. ರಹಸ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಚರಣೆ ಮೂಲಕ ನಮ್ಮಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಇಲಾಖೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಯಶಸ್ವಿಯಾಗಿ ಭ್ರೂಣ ಹಂತಕರನ್ನು ಸೆರೆಹಿಡಿದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.‌ ಗರ್ಭಿಣಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯ ಸಹಾಯ ಪಡೆದು ಲಿಂಗ ಭ್ರೂಣ ಪತ್ತೆ ಕಾರ್ಯಚಟುವಟಿಕೆ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನು… pic.twitter.com/5gW9sdA5hz

— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) October 23, 2025

Task force

In January 2024, the state government established a dedicated State Task Force Committee to ensure the effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act.

According to a circular then issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the six-member task force was former under the leadership of the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare (HFW).

It further comprised the State Mission Director of the National Health Mission, State Health Director of the RCH Programme Officer, Deputy Director of Family Welfare, and Deputy Director (Medical Acts).

Also Read: Karnataka sex determination & female foeticide case

Ensuring strict enforcement

The primary objective of the State Task Force Committee was to ensure strict enforcement of the PCPNDT Act, which prohibits sex selection and regulates prenatal diagnostic techniques.

The key responsibilities include:

Monitoring and inspecting medical facilities to ensure compliance with the Act.
Periodically reviewing and monitoring activities of district competent authority, district advisory committee, and district inspection and monitoring committees.
Conducting quarterly progress review meetings and submitting a report to the state monitoring committee.
Reviewing progress of targets set for covert operations.
Reviewing of second trimester medical abortions.
Recommending to the state monitoring committee if any amendments are necessary in the Act and associated rules.

Also Read: Karnataka to set up task force to prevent female foeticides

(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Chetana Belagere)