ED seizes ₹29 lakh in illegal egg extraction racket probe

This is a press release issued by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office-II, detailing search operations conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an investigation into an illegal human egg extraction racket. It matters to citizens as it outlines the seizure of assets and the identification of an organized network involving medical establishments and agents.

Who it concerns: The document concerns Manjusha Wankhede and 16 others, the Badlapur (East) Police Station, Thane, Maharashtra, various IVF centres and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) banks, donor-supply agents, and the financially vulnerable women recruited for egg donation.

What the ED says it did

• ED conducted search operations on 16.10.2026 at 10 premises, including hospitals and IVF centres in Thane, Baramati, and Nashik.
• The investigation is based on an FIR and chargesheet alleging offences of cheating and forgery under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and violations of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
• The case involves an organized network recruiting women for egg donation and supplying them to IVF centres and ART banks through agents.
• Investigation revealed the use of forged documents, including Aadhaar cards, affidavits, consent letters, birth certificates, PAN cards, blood-test reports, and insurance papers, to conceal donor identities and facilitate repeat donations.
• During the searches, Rs. 29 lakh in cash was seized, and bank lockers and mutual fund investments were frozen.
• Incriminating documents and digital devices were recovered, and new donor agents were identified.
• Multiple immovable properties and investments involving substantial amounts have been identified.

Also in the document

• The ED states that women were allegedly sent to various establishments in Maharashtra and other states for egg retrieval, exposing them to potential medical risks and circumventing prescribed medical safeguards.
• Agents received commission on the activities of recruiting women and facilitating egg donations.