Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said that strict action will be taken against the hospital and its operators for dumping foetuses into an open drain in Karnataka’s Mudalgi village in Belagavi district, about 500 kms from Bengaluru.
“It is a serious issue. Details of the concerned hospital have already been obtained. The deputy commissioner has initiated action against the hospital. A thorough inquiry into the case has been ordered. Legal action will be taken against the culprits,” Bommai said on Sunday.
The statements come two days after foetuses in canisters were found in a drain near Mudalgi bus stand in Karnataka’s north-western district.
The district administration of Belagavi on Saturday said that the process for conducting the postmortem on the seven aborted embryos has started and that the findings will possibly be out by Monday or Tuesday, giving more clarity on if it is indeed a case of female foeticide.
“The postmortem will be completed today (Sunday) but the report will be made available only on Monday or Tuesday. The police have to follow the due process which includes taking the opinion of gynaecologists and forensics,” said the district health officer (DHO) of Belagavi district, Dr Mahesh Kone.
Kone said that Venkateshwara (Maternity) Hospital and scanning centre have admitted that the embryos came from their facility. However, the hospital authorities have denied any wrongdoing as they have claimed that most of the foetuses had congenital defects. “They have said that all the babies had congenital defects and would not have survived and we are investigating their claims. But the way it was disposed of is a punishable offence,” Kone said.
{{/usCountry}}Kone said that Venkateshwara (Maternity) Hospital and scanning centre have admitted that the embryos came from their facility. However, the hospital authorities have denied any wrongdoing as they have claimed that most of the foetuses had congenital defects. “They have said that all the babies had congenital defects and would not have survived and we are investigating their claims. But the way it was disposed of is a punishable offence,” Kone said.
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