K.R. Pet (Mandya): The Lokayukta Police conducted raids on two private diagnostic centres in the town yesterday for failing to report teenage pregnancy cases.

Indicating the persistence of such violations, Lokayukta Police, during the raids, found that 31 teenage pregnant girls had undergone scans in violation of norms.

During a raid on Navi Diagnostic Centre, officials found that 24 teenage pregnant girls (19 in 2024 and five in 2025) had undergone antenatal sonography tests (which is done not only to monitor the foetus’ development, health and position inside the uterus but to also identify the sex of the foetus) in violation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.

The Centre was reportedly run by a Mysuru-based doctor, who operates similar facilities in Mysuru, Nanjangud and Chamarajanagar.

A similar violation was detected at Kushal Diagnostic Centre, where five pregnant teenage girls had undergone similar scans.

10,101 scans since 2018

Officials found that this Centre had conducted 10,101 scans since 2018 but recorded only 3,629 cases in the antenatal sonography register, leaving 6,472 scans unaccounted for.

It had also failed to collect age proof for 64 pregnant women in the 18-20 age group, in violation of rules.

Lokayukta officials said both the Diagnostic Centres had violated provisions mandating                                                         that cases of teenage pregnancy be reported to the Police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The raids were conducted following a complaint filed by one K.N. Manjunath to Upa Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa. Manjunath in his complaint had alleged that the Diagnostic Centres were carrying out illegal sex determination scans.