The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Health Department conducted raids on pharmacies in Ghaziabad and Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, seizing 227 MTP kits that were being supplied illegally.

According to media reports, the operation, which began under the direction of ACS Health Sudhir Rajpal, saw State Drug Controller Manmohan Taneja coordinate attempts to combat the unauthorised sale of MTP kits. A decoy operation led by Gurugram Drug Control Officer (DCO) Amandeep discovered that online pharmacies were illegally sending MTP kits under the brand name "Unwanted," along with instructions for at-home abortions.

Taneja emphasised the legal limitations, adding that the MTP Act 1971 and Rules 1975 require the use of MTP kits only under the supervision of Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) at recognised facilities.

On February 11, FIRs were filed under the MTP Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act at Gurugram's Sector 40 police station. Key vendors identified include Satyam Tripathi Office (Ghaziabad), M/s Baba Shyam Store (Badaun), and M/s Apurva Mfg Group of Companies (Badaun).

During the raids, investigators confiscated 191 kits from a Ghaziabad pharmacy and arrested the owner for unlawful supply. In Badaun, 36 more kits intended for illegal distribution were discovered.

Taneja emphasised the health hazards linked with unauthorised MTP kit use, citing examples in which pregnant women developed life-threatening difficulties after using these kits at home. FIRs were filed based on their statements, and the cases are presently being tried.

ACS Sudhir Rajpal stated that since 2015, approximately 1,220 FIRs had been filed under the PC-PNDT and MTP Acts to combat illicit abortions and preserve the girl child.

This operation serves as a strong warning against the unauthorised sale of MTP kits, with authorities continuing their efforts to dismantle such networks.