ED arrests Dr Namratha again in Hyderabad surrogacy scam
HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested Dr Namratha, head of Universal Srushti Fertility Centre, in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged illegal surrogacy and child trafficking racket.
She was produced before the metropolitan sessions judge court at Nampally and remanded in judicial custody till February 26. ED officials informed the court that she was not cooperating with investigators probing the alleged proceeds of crime.
Dr Namratha was questioned for two days at the ED office in Basheerbagh. During the questioning, she denied all allegations.
IVF promises, infants allegedly sourced illegally
Investigators alleged that she cheated childless couples by promising in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and surrogacy services that were not genuinely performed. According to the probe, she collected ₹30 lakh to ₹40 lakh in some cases under the pretext of fertility treatment.
Instead of conducting legitimate procedures, the clinic allegedly supplied infants procured from vulnerable women and presented them as surrogate babies. These were allegedly supported by forged medical records and fabricated DNA reports.
As reported by TOI earlier, the racket came to light after a couple from Rajasthan conducted an independent DNA test. The test revealed that the child handed over to them after a purported surrogacy process had no biological link to them.
Subsequent complaints from other families led to multiple FIRs. The investigation widened across Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Son among 24 arrested so far
Dr Namratha was first arrested by Gopalapuram police in July 2025 along with others allegedly involved in the network. At that time, eight persons, including agents and technicians, were booked for fraudulent practices at the clinic.
Based on these FIRs, the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in October 2025.
So far, 24 persons, including her son P Jayanth Krishna and others linked to the racket, have been arrested.
