Dharmapuri: Three people, including the husband of a 26-year-old pregnant woman, have been arrested in connection with her death after an illegal abortion allegedly carried out at her home near Eriyur on December 1.

The deceased, identified as K. Ramya, died due to complications arising from an improperly performed abortion after a sex determination test revealed that the foetus was female, police said.

Initially, Eriyur police received a complaint stating that Ramya had suffered a miscarriage and severe bleeding after accidentally falling down a staircase at her home. However, investigators grew suspicious during the inquiry, noting that Ramya and her husband, Kannan, already had two daughters.

Further investigation revealed that the couple had earlier visited Omalur in Salem district, where a nurse, Suganya (35), and a broker, Vanitha (35), allegedly conducted a sex determination test. After learning that the foetus was female, an abortion was reportedly carried out at the couple’s residence on December 1 with the involvement of Suganya and Vanitha.

Police said Ramya developed serious complications following the procedure and began bleeding excessively. She was first taken to a private clinic for initial treatment and later referred to a private hospital in Coimbatore. Despite medical efforts, she died during treatment.

Based on the findings of the investigation, police arrested Kannan (35), Suganya, and Vanitha late on Thursday. All three have been remanded in judicial custody.

Police said further investigation is underway, and appropriate legal action will be taken under relevant sections of the law, including those related to illegal sex determination and unsafe abortion practices.