Sangli: A high-level committee of inquiry, constituted to probe the abortion racket, has recommended the Health Department to cancel the medical degree of Dr Babasaheb Khidrapure, the key accused in the racket busted in Maishal village of this district on March 5 this year.

The second meeting of the committee -- held under the chairmanship of Dr Pallavi Sapale, Dean of Miraj Medical College -- found convicted Dr Khidrapure, and decided to recommend the state government to cancel his medical degree with immediately effect.

Dr Sapale said the committee would submit its final report to the state government within next four days.

On March 5, 2017, police had discovered a total of 19 plastic bags of dead foetus in the sewer a few yards away from a private clinic at Mhaisal village, 260 km from here. The incident came to light after the death of a woman in abortion surgery and her father had registered a complaint against her husband and Dr Khidrapure.

The government had constituted a new inquiry committee headed by Dr Sapale in place of earlier committee headed by District Civil Surgeon Dr Sanjay Salunkhe, following expression of suspicion by people and different political leaders on working style of the committee.

As many as 13, including mastermind Dr Khidrapure and two doctors from Kagwad and Vijapur in Karnataka state, arrested in this racket.