Diagnostic centres in Dhanbad are facing official scrutiny after a 26-year-old woman died following an alleged illegal abortion at a private facility in Katras, prompting two arrests and the sealing of ultrasound machines at two centres for alleged violations of the PC-PNDT Act.
According to a police complaint filed by the woman’s father, the woman was taken to the Katras diagnostic facility by her husband on the pretext of receiving treatment. The complaint alleged that the abortion procedure was performed by the facility’s operator, who was not medically qualified or legally authorised to carry it out.
The woman reportedly developed heavy bleeding after the procedure. She was later taken to another private healthcare facility, where doctors declared her dead. She is survived by a two-year-old daughter. Family members have demanded strict action against those responsible.
Katras police arrested the woman’s husband and the operator of the diagnostic facility after acting on the complaint. Both were subsequently sent to jail. The allegations, including the circumstances of the procedure and the operator’s role, remain subject to the police and medical investigation.
Civil surgeon Dr Sanjeev Kumar Prasad said the matter involved allegations of an illegal abortion and that a detailed investigation was being conducted under the supervision of sub-divisional officer Lokesh Barange. Samples were collected from the facility, and further legal action will follow after medical reports are received.
The case has also prompted district-wide inspections of diagnostic facilities. On the instructions of deputy commissioner Aditya Ranjan, the Civil Surgeon formed a six-member team to conduct surprise inspections under the supervision of SDM Barange. Officials sealed the ultrasound machines at two facilities for alleged violations of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.
The PC-PNDT Act regulates the use of prenatal diagnostic techniques and prohibits their misuse, including for sex selection. The official action in Dhanbad is focused on alleged violations identified during the inspections, while the criminal investigation into the woman’s death is proceeding separately.
The incident has placed attention on how private diagnostic facilities operate outside the oversight of authorised medical and regulatory systems. The supplied police and district administration accounts do not establish whether the sealed facilities were connected to the woman’s death. Officials have said that additional legal action will be taken after the medical reports and inspection findings are received.
