Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Female foeticides performed in the district of Beed (Maharashtra) are "the latest case of atrocity and discrimination against girls. However, we must be outraged by all abortions. Human life is sacred from conception. If we justify abortion in the name of a "right to choose", why then be surprised by female foeticides and infanticides?" said Mgr Agnelo Gracias, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mumbai, as he spoke about a recent case that has shocked India. In early June, police in the District of Beed found female foetuses that were aborted in various advanced stages of pregnancy.
In recent weeks, other areas in Maharashtra have been front-page news because of reports concerning a number of medical clinics. In the past eight months, police found the remains of five females foetuses who died in forced abortions, experts say.
The latest case broke on Tuesday when the body of a six-month girl was found in a dustbin in a local hospital in Ulhasnagar (Thane District). As in previous case, the foetus was aborted outside the limits of the law.
"The post-mortems indicated surgical abortions [. . .] beyond the legal limit for abortions. And they were all found in the same area," forensic expert Dr Ganesh Niturakar was quoted as saying.
Following this case, police launched a large-scale investigation, involving hundreds of women and clinics suspected to have performer illegal sex determination tests.