Srinagar, July 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Health Department has recommended registration of an FIR against a private IVF centre in Srinagar after fresh irregularities surfaced during an inquiry into the death of a 35-year-old woman from Baramulla during a fertility procedure.

The woman died at Harkaar IVF & Maternity Centre in Hyderpora. Her family has alleged that the facility was operating without mandatory registration and has sought a criminal investigation into the incident.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Srinagar, Dr. Tahir Sajad, said additional violations were detected during the ongoing inquiry and the findings have been forwarded to the Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) for further action.
Officials said the sealed IVF centre was temporarily opened on Thursday under the supervision of the CMO to facilitate the transfer of frozen embryos to another IVF facility so that the treatment of other patients was not affected.
During the inspection, an unauthorised ultrasound (USG) machine was found installed in the recovery room and was seized on the spot.
According to the Health Department, the ultrasound machine had allegedly been shifted from Karan Nagar to the Hyderpora facility without the required permission, while the premises where it was being used was also not registered.
Based on these findings, the CMO has recommended registration of an FIR against the owner under the provisions of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act.
The department had earlier ordered a formal inquiry into the woman's death, with the preliminary inspection report also recommending a separate criminal investigation into the case.
The report further alleged that the IVF centre was functioning from an under-construction building without the necessary approvals and permissions.
Officials said the inquiry into the alleged medical negligence has not yet been completed and all circumstances surrounding the patient's death are being examined.
The deceased woman's family has accused the doctors of misleading them after her death during the IVF procedure and demanded an impartial investigation and strict action against those found responsible.