A large-scale illegal surrogacy and baby-selling racket run under the guise of fertility treatment has been uncovered by the North Zone Police, with at least 10 individuals arrested, including the head of a well-known IVF chain.

The prime accused, Athaluri Namratha, alias Pachipala Namratha, 64, is the owner of Universal Srushti Fertility Centres operating across Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh, said DCP (North) S. Rashmi Perumal.