Chanana clinic, a private clinic situated at B.C.S was yesterday sealed amidst jammed roads full of protesting people. It has come into light that on Friday, a 16 year old girl was taken to the clinic for an alleged illegal abortion. The girl came along with her mother and hails from village Kodi, Fagli and was seven months pregnant.
An ultrasound machine was found at the backside of the clinic for which the owners dont have any valid license. A case has been registered against Dr Rajesh Chanana and his wife Dr. Anju Chanana under Pre-Natal Diagnostic Act and MTP Act that has evoked and Section 315, 511 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The doctors are absconding, said Sharavan Kumar Chandel, the station house officer SHO of Chotta Shimla police station.
Photo by Ankit Sood
Its high time, the law enforcing agencies wake up to the realities of such illegal practices taking place all over the state and beyond.
If a deterrence has to be put in place, the guilty need to be booked and punished under fast track courts.
The health department has clear data indicating how many feoticides are taking place in Himachal, clearly pointing out in which districts or regions.
How is it that so far none has been convicted under the law. Someone is looking the other way while this business is turning into a money spinner.
Has our collective conscience sunk so low that we will allow anything and every thing to take place by just hiding our faces and saying “its not my problem.”
Its worth appreciating that people in New Shimla locality did rise to the occasion and brought out this case, what otherwise would have been safely buried under the cover of darkness.
News Update
The doctor couple was later arrested and released by the courts on bail.
The pregnant teenager delivered a still born child and suspicion of aborting drugs having been administered at the Chanana clinic have been raised.