Karnataka: 7 fetuses found dumped in plastic boxes, probe ordered

In a shocking incident, seven aborted fetal remains uses were found in a canister on the outskirts of the Moodalagi village of Karnataka's Belagavi district on Friday, informed the police. It could be a case of female foeticide.

Belagavi district health officer Dr Mahesh Koni told TOI that the fetuses appear to be five to seven months old. "This is a case of illegal sex determination test and killing of foetuses. The fetuses have now been shifted to the mortuary of the local government hospital. Soon, a forensic test will be conducted on them," he said, adding a case has been registered in the local police station.

The officer said the investigation will also shed light on the female foeticide racket and how it is taking place on this magnitude even though the law prohibits sex-determination tests. MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi called the incident a "matter of shame and a heinous act. I've instructed police to find out the people behind this crime. I've asked the health department to ensure such incidents do not recur."


This is the second such incident reported from Belagavi in a decade. In 2013, at least 13 dead fetuses were found on the banks of Hiranyakeshi river. After the incident, then deputy commissioner Anbukumar had launched a drive against all scanning centres, nursing homes and medical colleges in the district.