Two held for stealing sperm samples in bid to sell them

Mumbai: A laboratory technician who allegedly tried to make a quick buck by stealing samples from the sperm bank where he worked has been arrested after a suspicious doctor tipped off police.

S. Mohite, a laboratory worker at Cryobank in Aurangabad city in western India, and a relative, Anil Mohite, tried to sell 101 vials of sperm to a doctor in Mumbai for Rs25,000 rupees (Dh2,293), Aurangabad police chief K. L. Bishnoi said yesterday.

The doctor declined - then called the police, who arrested the pair on Sunday, Bishnoi said.

"The doctor contacted police because they [doctors] usually refer patients to infertility clinics for treatment. They are never approached with sperm vials on sale," said Bishnoi.

Mohite "must have thought he would steal the sperm and establish his own contacts to sell the vials", Bishnoi said.

Infertility experts in Mumbai were astounded by the alleged theft.

"Bizarre is the word that comes to mind," said Dr Aniruddha Malpani.

Most clinics pay registered sperm donors about Rs5,000 (Dh458) for 10 samples, comprising 20 vials.

The Mohites will be charged with stealing and cheating, and each face up to seven years in prison if convicted, Bishnoi said.