INDORE: Hardly has the controversy over unethical drug trials has died down, here is another shocker. Eight foetuses, two to eight months old and one uterus, were reportedly found dumped near Sirpur lake on the Dhar road, some 20 km from the city on Saturday. The health department has ordered a probe into the incident.
The incident came to light when a passerby, identified as Subhash Yadav, reportedly found some stray dogs gnawing foetuses, stuffed in a gunny bag. Without wasting time, he reported the matter to the local police. On opening the bag, the police reportedly found foetuses packed in plastic jars. The police took the foetuses to the district hospital for further investigation. The medical officials, sources said, asked the cops to take the foetuses to the Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital for post-mortem.
Chief medical and health officer Dr Sharad Pandit remained unavailable for comments on the matter. However, civil surgeon Dr A P Srivastava said, "The foetuses appear two to eight month old. We have referred them to the forensic department for further investigation."
Strangely, the health officials were unaware of the incident till the district administration gave them a dressing down and asked them to immediately look into the incident.
The Chandan Nagar police have registered an FIR and recorded the statement of the man, who reported the matter to the police. The police will try to find out who dumped the bag there. The post-mortem report pointed out that these were not the fresh foetuses and were used by some institute, pathological labs for study purpose. Prima facie experts believe that it was improper disposal.
Dr P S Thakur, a forensic expert and associate professor at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, said, "It seems that someone used them for study purpose. We could determine the sex of four foetuses as they were below four months old. It looks more of an improper disposal than foeticide."
However, health experts suspected the involvement of authorities. They said sex could be determined right after eight weeks of pregnancy. One of the senior doctors, on condition of anonymity, said, "There are at least five tests of sex determination. It is a shameful act and violators should be prosecuted. People are raising the issue via media and such things are showing the ugly side of our society while authorities are trying to sweep the matter under the carpet."
The district administration was quick to order an enquiry to find out the people behind the incident. ADM Alok Singh said, "Findings of the doctors suggest that they are not fresh foetuses. It is the work of a few immature people. I have ordered an inquiry into the matter."
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