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 around $625, Aurangabad police chief Krishna Lal Bishnoi said Tuesday.
The laboratory worker was identified as Sunil Mohite, according to another police official Mohsin Khan.
The doctor declined — then called the police, who arrested the pair Sunday, Bishnoi told The Associated Press.
"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.
Cyrobank could not immediately be contacted for comment.
‘Bizarre’ case
Infertility experts in Mumbai were astounded by the alleged theft.
"Bizarre is the word that comes to mind," said Dr. Aniruddha Malpani. "Anyone would have a hard time selling sperm vials. They must be stored in a liquid nitrogen container. It doesn't make any sense."
Malpani said infertility clinics have their own sperm banks and that patients are referred to the clinics by gynecologists.
"An unlabeled vial is worse than useless," Malpani said.
Most clinics pay registered sperm donors about $125 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.