Indian-origin doc held for genital mutilation
New York, April 14: A 44-year-old Indian-origin woman doctor has been arrested and charged with performing genital mutilation on girls aged six to eight years, believed to be the first such in the US.
Jumana Nagarwala has been charged with performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on minor girls out of a medical office in Livonia, Michigan.
According to Dr Nagarwala’s profile in the Henry Ford Health System website, she speaks English and Gujarati.
According to the complaint, some of the minor victims allegedly traveled inter-state to have Dr Nagarwala perform the procedure.
The complaint alleges that she performed FGM on girls who were approximately six to eight years old. This is believed to be the first case brought under a US law, which criminalises FGM.
Dr Nagarwala, who is an emergency room physician, was arrested and was scheduled to appear in federal court in Detroit.
The number of girls under 18 at risk for FGM in the US has quadrupled since 1997. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 5,13,000 women and girls are at risk of FGM in the US.
Congress passed a law in 1996 making it illegal to perform genital mutilation or cutting in the US on anyone under than 18. FGM is punishable by up to five years in prison, however, it is not a crime in 26 US states, including Michigan.
The complaint said federal agents reviewed Dr Nagarwala’s telephone records and further investigation revealed that parents of two minor girls had traveled to Michigan.
The girls were later interviewed by a forensic expert and one of the girls said she was told she was coming to Detroit for a “special” girls trip, but after arriving at the hotel, she learned she and the other girl had to go to the doctor because “our tummies hurt”.
According to the WHO. female genital mutilation comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. — PTI
NAGARWALA performed female genital mutilation on minor girls for over 12 years.
IF found guilty, she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
FGM was made illegal in the US in 1996.