Gender testing rampant in Hyderabad, tough to detect

HYDERABAD: While a sex determination racket was busted by cops in Warangal recently, the problem is not limited to districts alone as it's easy to get these tests done in Hyderabad as well.

The tests are done clandestinely and there is a whole network operating behind the scenes to sniff out any action from authorities and relay it to all involved to avoid arrests. As per law, sex determination of foetus is banned under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.
But catching people operating such centres is extremely difficult as it is a tight-knit network and often backed by people with political clout, according to sources.
"The tip-off which reaches authorities is usually the result of an internal tiff in the network. Usually disagreements are resolved quickly even if an agent becomes extra greedy since it is in the interest of everyone to not upset the applecart. But on rare occasions a few ruffled feathers inside the network might result in information reaching authorities. Also, there is no paperwork which makes it difficult to prove anything unless caught red-handed," said a source
The current rate for revealing the gender ranges from 5,000 to 7,000, the source said, adding that there are a few centres which earn a major portion of their profit from revealing the gender of the foetus. "The illegal sex determination tests are done either in existing diagnostic centres or in makeshift centres in residences. They are actually very popular among the people. It spreads through word of mouth. The person who has previously got a sex determination test done becomes a source to refer it to others," said a person involved in the operations.