2 hrs ago
Maharashtra Plans MCOCA Action Against Foeticide Networks
Maharashtra wants to make it harder for organised groups to find out whether an unborn baby is a girl and end the pregnancy illegally.
The state plans to change a law so that a tougher organised-crime law can be used against such networks.
Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said the proposal is expected in the next Winter Session of the state legislature.
Officials will first carry out special checks in Palghar, Ahilyanagar and Pune.
They will examine sonography-centre records and how machines are used.
The government also wants to keep closer track of portable sonography machines and take action against unauthorised doctors.
Between March 2024 and March 2026, the state registered 627 cases and reported 127 convictions.
Officials say inspections and enforcement must support stronger laws.
Maharashtra plans to amend the PC&PNDT Act to allow MCOCA action against organised prenatal sex-determination and female-foeticide networks.
Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said the amendment is proposed for the state legislature’s upcoming Winter Session.
Initial special inspections will target Palghar, Ahilyanagar and Pune, with checks on sonography-centre records, machines and diagnostic details.
The government ordered closer monitoring of portable sonography machines and district lists of bogus doctors, alongside joint action against unauthorised practitioners.
From March 2024 to March 2026, Maharashtra registered 627 PC&PNDT cases and recorded 127 convictions; in 2025-26, 118 decoy operations yielded 13 successes.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, and a state-level task force.
- What
- The government plans a PC&PNDT Act amendment to enable MCOCA action against organised prenatal sex-determination and female-foeticide networks, alongside inspections and tighter monitoring.
- Where
- Maharashtra; the first phase of special inspections is planned for Palghar, Ahilyanagar and Pune.
- When
- The proposal is intended for the upcoming Winter Session; the announcement was reported on October 7, 2026.
- Why
- To strengthen enforcement against illegal prenatal sex determination and female foeticide and target organised networks rather than only individual offenders.
Stronger enforcement
Implementation measures
How to curb organised offences
Stronger enforcement
The government proposes amending the PC&PNDT Act so MCOCA can be used against organised networks involved in prenatal sex determination and female foeticide.
Implementation measures
The announced operational measures include targeted inspections, decoy operations, scrutiny of records and closer monitoring of sonography machines; the article does not report a contrary viewpoint.
Key facts
- Proposed legislation
- Amendment to the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act
- Proposed enforcement measure
- Enable use of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against organised networks
- Proposed introduction
- Upcoming Winter Session of the Maharashtra state legislature
- First-phase inspection districts
- Palghar, Ahilyanagar and Pune
- PC&PNDT cases
- 627 registered between March 2024 and March 2026
- Convictions
- 127 over the same period
- Decoy operations
- 118 conducted in 2025-26; 13 were successful
- Sonography-centre inspections
- Nearly all of Maharashtra’s 11,837 registered centres were inspected in 2025-26
Sources
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