Telangana High Court Directs CWC To Hand Over Baby To Parents Who Were Victims Of Surrogacy Scam

The Telangana High Court has directed the Child Welfare Committee to hand over a baby, taken away from her parents, on account of violations in the surrogacy procedure.

The parents of baby Hiya, contended that they had used the facilities of Dr. Namratha and Universal Srushti Fertility to have a surrogate baby, and were also under the impression that the baby was biologically theirs. However, when the baby fell sick, and blood tests were conducted, it was realised that the baby did not share the same DNA as her parents.

Although the parents were taken aback by this realisation, they decided to raise the child as their own, as they had been doing since her birth.

Nonetheless, the parents felt it was their duty to bring to light the scam that was being run by Dr. Namratha and Universal Srushti Fertility Centre, and thus, filed an official complaint.

Following their complaint, an investigation was launched, and the Child Welfare Committee, noting that the origin of the child was not established, took custody of her.

The parents approached the Court, vide the present petition, praying that they be given back the custody of their daughter, whom they had accepted as their own, and were taking care of her even now.

Justice T. Madhavi Devi, before whom the petition was placed, noted that although the issue fell within the purview of the Surrogacy (Regulation)Act, 2021, it was undeniable that the parents were the real victims in the scenario, who had been raising the baby since her birth for 2 months.

“This Court is prima facie satisfied that the petitioner and her husband are the victims of scam committed by Dr. Namratha and Universal Srushti Fertility & Research Centre. The birth certificate of the child bears the names of the petitioner and her husband as parents and the child was in their care for a period of two (02) months from birth till the custody was taken over by the authorities. Therefore, this Court directs the respondents, particularly respondent Nos. 3 and 4, to hand over the custody of the child to the petitioner and her husband immediately and the respondents are also free to visit and monitor the welfare of the child as they deem fit," noted the Bench.

With the said observation, the bench adjourned the matter for the filing of counters to 15.10.2025

Mrs. Sr-rcharitha Gangireddygari vs. State of TS

WP 27169 of 2025

Counsel for petitioner: M/s Anuradha Cherukuri

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