A team of Health Department officials from Krishnagiri district busted a sex-determination racket in Salem district on Thursday (August 6) evening.

Acting on a tip-off, a six-member team from Krishnagiri district came to a house at Konakaradu in Muthunaickenpatti panchayat in Salem district and reportedly found a person scanning pregnant women and revealing the sex of the foetuses for a fee of ₹23,000 per person. On seeing the officials, the person fled, sources said.

On alerted by the Krishnagiri officials, Joint Director for Health Services (Salem) Nandhini visited the spot and held an inquiry. The officials seized a portable scanning machine and a car of the accused and alerted the Tholasampatti police, who later identified the accused as Sukumar (50) of Thirupathur district.

According to the police, there were many cases pending against him, and he had earlier been detained under the Goondas Act.

The Tholasampatti police registered a case based on a complaint from Omalur Government Hospital Chief Medical Officer (in-charge) Kaniamuthu and are on the lookout for the accused.

The Health officials were also questioning two pregnant women from Dharmapuri district, who came for illegal scanning.

Published - August 06, 2026 06:56 pm IST