In a grim illustration of the still‑illegal sex‑determination laws, 24‑year‑old Kiran Kumari died in Dhanbad after her husband forced her into a clandestine abortion.
The test, conducted at the Central Diagnostic Centre in Shyamdih, was allegedly arranged by Sonu Kewat and his in‑laws to confirm a female fetus, a move that triggered the aborted procedure.
Doctors at a nearby private clinic said Kiran’s condition deteriorated rapidly, with excessive bleeding that the staff could not control. The patient was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police arrested four people: Sonu Kewat, the centre’s operator Sachin Kumar Kewat, staff member Vijay Goswami, and nurse Sulochana Devi. All have been transferred to judicial custody.
Investigators are also scrutinizing Kiran’s father, Rajendra Kumar Kewat, and other relatives for alleged pressure exerted to undergo the test. A court hearing is scheduled for next month.
The case reignites debates over India’s 1994 Pre‑Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Determination) Act, with activists demanding stricter enforcement.