DHARMAPURI: Two women have been arrested in Dharmapuri district for conducting an illegal prenatal sex determination scan in a pregnant woman and facilitating the abortion of a female fetus.The arrested women have been identified as Pachaiyammal, 40, of Noolahalli near Adhiyamankottai and Karpagam, 44, of Alagapuri Colony in Elakkiampatti.A 24-year-old woman from Palayampudur near Nallampalli, who has two daughters, became pregnant again two months ago. Seeking to determine the gender of the foetus, she approached her relative, Pachaiyammal, who was running an illegal scan centre at her house in association with Karpagam.Police said the pregnant woman was subjected to an illegal scan. The woman was informed that she was carrying a female foetus. Karpagam prescribed some medicines for abortion. The woman took the medicine and developed health complications. Her husband admitted her to a private hospital in Dharmapuri, where doctors confirmed that she had undergone an abortion.As her condition was critical, doctors informed the Dharmapuri block medical officer. Based on a complaint lodged by the officer, Adhiyamankottai police registered a case and launched an investigation. Following preliminary inquiries, police arrested Karpagam and Pachaiyammal on Thursday night. The two were remanded in judicial custody.
