Clinic Performs Abortion Without Woman's Consent, Flushes Fetus Down Toilet

In a shocking incident, a private clinic allegedly performed an abortion on a 17-week pregnant woman without her consent or knowledge. The hospital staff also flushed the fetus down an unused toilet, which was later recovered by authorities from a drain.

The inhumane act happened in the Indian state of Odisha on Wednesday, The New Indian Express reported.

Police said the clinic performed the act after taking money from the woman's husband. The husband allegedly paid Rs 13,000 ($178) to the clinic for terminating the pregnancy after an ultrasound imaging allegedly showed that the fetus had a deformity.

The incident came to light after authorities received information that illegal abortion is being carried out at Aditya Hospital and Clinic in the town of Nayagarh. Senior health officials and police immediately rushed to the spot and raided the clinic, the newspaper report said.

"Initial investigation suggests the woman's abortion was being carried out without any license and permission of the authority. A case has been registered under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act," a senior official told The New Indian Express.

The woman is undergoing treatment at Nayagarh District Headquarter Hospital. Her statement will be recorded only after she leaves the hospital, police said, adding that she was brought to the clinic by her husband, Ganesh Pradhan.

Though the hospital had her case records and risk bond, there was no medical termination of pregnancy form. The officers could not find the woman's consent form. Also, none of the documents had the doctor's signature.

Five people, including hospital owner, Satya Priya Swain, and the victim's husband, have been arrested. "Satya Priya Swain and other staff had flushed the fetus in an unused washroom of the hospital. It was recovered with the assistance of the sanitation officials. The fetus has been sent for a medical examination," the senior official added.

However, police said there is no evidence to indicate the pregnancy was terminated after determining the sex of the child. In India, it is illegal to determine the sex of a fetus under the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Regulation and Prevention of Misuse Act of 1994.

Police also found two ultrasound reports which suggested the infant might have had a physical deformity.