Abortion racket: Lab owner arrested at city bus stand after Shirdi hideout

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Bitel Diagnostic Path Lab owner Mangesh Thorat (40, Samarth Residency, Honajingnagar), who was absconding in the Rashidpura illegal abortion racket case, was arrested by the Crime Branch at the central bus stand on Thursday after returning from Shirdi.

During preliminary interrogation, Thorat allegedly confessed to sending 11 pregnant women to the main accused Shaheda as part of the racket. The racket came to light on April 28 at a luxury flat in Rashidpura involving Syed Irshad Ahmed Syed (61), Shaheda Parveen (51) and aide Nasreen Shaikh (47). Investigation revealed Thorat and his wife had referred a woman for testing and treatment for Rs 35,000, linking him to the case.

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Fled after raid, stayed in shirdi

On April 28 night, Thorat and his wife allegedly sent a 24-year-old pregnant woman to Shaheda’s residence. After a police raid, he fled, switched off his mobile near Salim Ali Lake and escaped to Shirdi, where he stayed till Thursday, avoiding bank transactions and ATM use. He returned to meet a lawyer, leading to his arrest.

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Arrest, custody and probe

Acting on instructions from senior inspector Gajanan Kalyankar, a trap was laid at 8.45 am by assistant inspector Ravikant Gacche, assistant sub-inspector Dilip Modi, and constables Prakash Gaikwad and Ashraf Sayyed. Thorat was arrested at platform number 4 and handed over to City Chowk police. Police said Thorat, an M.Sc. graduate, and his wife Minal (B.Com.) were allegedly running the lab without medical qualification under another’s licence. He has been remanded in police custody till May 5.

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Wider network under scanner

Preliminary investigation suggests doctors from rural areas, including Ambad taluka, were referring pregnant women to the accused in exchange for up to 20% commission. Police suspect a wider network and are tracing involved medical professionals.