Balangir: The chief district medical officer has said he would take up an inquiry following allegations that a doctor was flouting rules and carrying out abortions and female foeticides for 10 years at Deogaon here.

Sashi Bhusan Sahu, an ayurvedic doctor, has been practising privately at Deogaon for 10 years. However, the matter came to light recently when families of some of the affected women spoke about it. Some of them have also approached the district administration, police and the chief district medical officer.

The allegation goes that Sahu, in connivance with agents and accredited social health activists (ASHA), carried out the practice.

Antaryami Mahakur, a Chanabahal villager in Muribahal block, narrated his ordeal to the Balangir superintendent of police, district collector and the chief district medical officer. Mahakur, in his allegation, said his pregnant daughter was advised by the Jhinkigunguri village ASHA to visit Sahu for a check-up.

Sahu told her that the child in the womb was already dead and it would be risky for her if it were not aborted. Mahakur said his daughter agreed to the doctor's advice out of fear. "He charged Rs 10,000 and prescribed some medicines," he said. Mahakur stated that his daughter's condition worsened after taking the medicines because of excessive bleeding. "We admitted her to Balangir district headquarters hospital as her condition became critical. The specialist doctors there washed the womb," he said.

Mahakur said Sahu had also allegedly admitted to his guilt to him in a telephonic conversation. The Telegraph could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio clip. Sahu is also an influential leader of the BJP in the area.

Social activist Santanu Naik, who brought the matter to light, said: "Unwed pregnant women and other women who don't want children come to his clinic for abortions. Sahu doesn't have a licence. Several women who underwent abortion in his clinic have lost their lives," Naik said.

Chief district medical officer Sugyanendra Mishra said: "Now that a formal complaint has been lodged, we will take up an inquiry."