Eluru district registered 1,499 abortions in 2025, according to the medical and health department, and the Collector ordered an inquiry into the incidents.
The district has 115 scanning centres, including 102 private diagnostic centres, officials from the department said at a meeting held recently to review the enforcement of the Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994.
District Collector K. Vetri Selvi directed the police and medical and health department officials to take all steps to enforce the law more strictly. “Sex ratio is 934:1000 in Eluru district which is alarming. Those violating the PCPNDT Act should be brought to book,” said the Collector.
Ms. Vetri Selvi directed the police to deploy decoys and book those who conduct scans of pregnant women against the law.
She also told officers of the Drug Control Authority (DCA) to keep tabs on medical shops and ensure that drugs are not sold without a doctor’s prescription.
On condition of anonymity, a doctor told The Hindu that medical and health officers would investigate the abortions and submit a report. Officers will be looking for details such as the reason for the abortion, where the scan was done, the month in which the pregnancy was terminated, the health status of the mother and the fetus up to that time, whether the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021 was followed and other details.
The implementation of the PCPNDT Act and the toll-free number 18004256131, which the public can use to alert officials about illegal abortions, should be brought to the fore, said Ms. Vetri Selvi.
Published – 15 Feb 2026 20:34 IST