Pune: Probe Ordered After Pregnancy Tests Conducted On Tribal Hostel Girls In Wakad
Pune: Probe Ordered After Pregnancy Tests Conducted On Tribal Hostel Girls In Wakad
Pune, September 25, 2025: A probe has been ordered after reports emerged that girls residing in the tribal department hostel in Wakad, Pune, underwent pregnancy tests without informing their families. Pune District Civil Surgeon Dr Nagnath Yempalle confirmed that the tests were carried out following instructions from hostel staff.
The matter came to light after Maharashtra State Women’s Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar visited the hostel on Tuesday. Her interactions with the girls revealed that prenatal diagnostic tests were conducted without parental consent. Following this, Leena Bansod, Commissioner of the Tribal Welfare Department, directed an inquiry into the matter. “It is a matter of great concern, and we have taken serious note. Further action will be taken based on the inquiry report,” she said.
On September 23, the Women’s Commission posted on X that Chairperson Chakankar has instructed the Women and Child Development Department and the Tribal Development Department to investigate thoroughly. “Action will be taken against hostel authorities and medical officers found guilty,” the posts stated.
Officials Respond
Pradeep Desai, Project Officer of the Integrated Tribal Development Department in Ghodegaon, clarified that neither he nor his team instructed medical staff to conduct pregnancy tests. “We only requested mandatory physical fitness certificates. The medical officers are performing these tests independently,” he said.
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Dr Yempalle explained that oral instructions from tribal department staff were being followed by junior doctors who may not be familiar with official guidelines. “We are a government hospital with an existing workload. There is no reason for a doctor to conduct additional tests on their own, as we do not earn from them,” he added.
Background
Earlier, on August 26, the Women’s Commission had asked for an inquiry after social media reports claimed that girls were subjected to urine pregnancy tests (UPT) before admission. The project officer submitted a report on August 28 stating that no evidence of such pre-admission tests had been found.
Dr Yempalle added, “Tests are conducted for the students’ safety, either at the start of the academic year or when a student returns after a long leave. It is done as per instructions, not on the doctors’ initiative.”
The inquiry is ongoing, and authorities have pledged appropriate action based on the findings.
