There is a federal law that bans the butchery that goes under the more sanitized name of “female genital mutilation.” And for the first time a doctor has actually been arrested and charged with breaking that law. On April 12th, Dr. Jumana Nagarwala was arrested for mutilating two girls whose families had allegedly brought them from Minnesota to her in Detroit.

Investigators allege medical examinations of the Minnesota victims showed abnormal genitalia that had scar tissue and small lacerations. In one case, a section had been removed or altered, according to court records.

Dr. Nagarwala also told the families to lie about what happened, as her lawyer claimed that she only “wiped” off a little “mucus” for ceremonial purposes.

The girls’ parents admitted bringing their daughters to Metro Detroit when questioned by investigators and having Nagarwala perform the procedure at an unnamed Livonia clinic.

With FBI agents listening, a mother of one of the Minnesota victims called Nagarwala, according to prosecutors.

Nagarwala delivered an order to the mother, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward said Monday.

According to Woodward, Nagarwala told the woman “deny everything.”

Nagarwala never performed female genital mutilation, her lawyer said.

The doctor merely wiped off a portion of the mucous membrane from the girls’ clitoris, (defense lawyer Shannon) Thompson said. A small amount was placed on a gauze pad and given to the family for burial, the lawyer added.

“This is part of the culture,” Thompson told the magistrate.

Dr. Nagarwala belongs to a particular sect of Islam called Dawoodi Bohra, which has a reputation for practicing FGM.

The Dawoodi Bohras hail mostly from western India and were traditionally comprised of businessmen, entrepreneurs and professionals. There are approximately 1 million followers worldwide.

Two years ago, three Dawoodi Bohras faced trial in Australia in a case that raised awareness of female genital mutilation. The case ended in prison sentences for three people, including a Dawoodi Bohra community leader.

Nagarwala’s husband, Moiz Nagarwala, is listed as a leader of the Farmington Hills mosque, according to the mosque’s password-protected website, and records list him as having served as joint treasurer.

The doctor is currently being held without bail, as she is considered a flight risk (since she was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport with a ticket for Nairobi, Kenya).

Today, two more arrests were made which may explain where Dr. Nagarwala could practice FGM without being detected.

Fakhruddin Attar, M.D., 53, and his wife, Farida Attar 50, both of Livonia, are charged with conspiring to perform female genital mutilations on minor girls out of Fakhruddin Attar’s medical clinic in Livonia. Female genital mutilation involves removing external female genitalia partially or in full.

The defendants are alleged to have conspired with Jumana Nagarwala, M.D., who was already arrested in Detroit on April 12, and ordered detained on April 17, 2017, pending trial. There were fears she was going to flee the country after she was charged.

Nagarwala, Fakhruddin Attar and Farida Attar are believed to be the first people charged under 18 U.S.C. 116, which criminalizes FGM.

And the FBI is looking for more victims, especially since it seems to be known that victims were being brought in from out of state.

According to the complaint, some of the minor victims traveled from other states to have the procedure performed. The complaint alleges that the FGM procedure was performed on girls who were approximately six to eight years old.

And investigators are concerned there could be more victims. The FBI’s Detroit Field Division has set up a tip line for anyone who has information pertaining to the illegal practice of FGM or Dr. Jumana Nagarwala, Fakhruddin Attar or Farida Attar at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5984). To submit an e-tip, please visit FBI.GOV/FGM.

The Attars are also accused of telling victims to lie about what happened to them, but they admitted to law enforcement that Dr. Nagarwala has use of their clinic facility.

This sick practice is a horrific medieval relic and MUST be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law – and the PARENTS ought to be facing real punishment as well.

Hopefully, the rest of the victims will be found, and this cruel and barbaric practice will continue to be stamped out within the United States, and around the world.