Hyderabad: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has attached properties worth ₹29.76 crore in connection with an alleged illegal surrogacy racket linked to Dr. Pachipalli Namratha.
The assets include 50 immovable properties. These consist of land parcels, residential flats and a hospital. The ED carried out the action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Officials launched the probe into activities linked to “Universal Srusthi Fertility and Research Centre.” They estimate the market value of the attached assets at around ₹50 crore.
Investigators began the probe after multiple FIRs were registered at the Gopalapuram Police Station. The cases include allegations of fraud, cheating, criminal conspiracy, illegal surrogacy and child trafficking.
According to investigators, the accused allegedly collected large sums from childless couples. She promised to arrange babies through surrogate mothers. However, officials say the network sourced babies from poor and vulnerable pregnant women. Agents and sub-agents allegedly lured these women with financial incentives.
ED probe exposes illegal surrogacy racket network
Officials said the investigation uncovered payments of about ₹3.5 lakh for a female child and ₹4.5 lakh for a male child. The network allegedly conducted deliveries at a hospital in Visakhapatnam. This happened after authorities revoked the licence of the Secunderabad fertility facility.
Investigators also said the accused manipulated birth records. The records falsely showed commissioning couples as the biological parents. As a result, the system hid the identities of the actual mothers and enabled the racket to operate.
According to the ED, the racket had been operating since 2014. It continued despite several criminal cases and the suspension of the doctor’s medical licence.
The agency arrested Dr. Pachipalli Namratha on February 12, 2026 under the money laundering law. She remains in judicial custody while investigators continue the probe.