Srishti Test Tube Baby Center ran illegally, faked surrogacy: DCP Rashmi Perumal

Hyderabad: The Srishti Test Tube Baby Center in Hyderabad was operating illegally without valid permissions since 2021 and defrauded a childless couple through a fake surrogacy scheme, DCP Rashmi Perumal revealed on Sunday. Police have arrested eight people in connection with the case.

Addressing a press conference, the DCP said the hospital’s registration with the state Medical Council had lapsed in 2021 and none of its doctors or staff were qualified experts. Despite lacking legal clearance, the center continued operations clandestinely, escaping regulatory detection.

According to police, the case came to light after a couple approached the center for IVF treatment. Dr. Namrata, the center’s manager, claimed IVF was not feasible and instead pitched surrogacy, charging ₹30 lakh. She falsely told the couple that a Visakhapatnam-based surrogate was arranged, and later presented a pregnant woman to support her claim.

Months later, the couple was handed a baby boy at a Vizag hospital, with Namrata demanding additional money. The couple paid, but became suspicious and ordered a DNA test – which revealed the child had no biological link to the supposed surrogacy.

Investigations uncovered that the baby was not born through surrogacy. Instead, a woman from Assam, who was paid ₹90,000 and had no intention of keeping her newborn, was used to pass off the baby as the surrogate child.

DCP Perumal said the hospital faces multiple complaints and was never registered with the state Medical Council. Court cases are ongoing, and in one hearing, the center claimed it was shutting down operations.

Police also stated that Namrata’s son, Jayant Krishna, allegedly threatened the victims while posing as a lawyer with ties to human trafficking networks. He is among the eight arrested in the case.