Illegal kidney transplant racket in Kanpur: Five doctors among 6 arrested

Kanpur: Following a dispute over a mere Rs 50,000, a massive illegal kidney transplant racket has been uncovered in Kanpur, with five doctors among six people arrested for their alleged involvement. The accused are believed to have conducted illegal kidney transplants on at least 40 individuals, including foreign nationals.

The case came to light when an MBA student from Bihar studying in Meerut approached the police, alleging he had been cheated. Facing financial distress, he had agreed to sell one of his kidneys for Rs 10 lakh. However, after the surgery, he claimed he received only Rs 9.5 lakh—Rs 50,000 less than promised. Angered by the shortfall, he reported the matter to the police, unknowingly triggering a major crackdown. 

Also Read:Kanpur: Doctor couple detained as illegal kidney transplant racket busted

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in a shocking incident, a major illegal kidney and liver transplant racket was busted in Kanpur. The joint operation carried out by the crime branch and the health department led to the detention of a doctor couple and a middleman, exposing a network that allegedly exploited vulnerable youth and sold organs for as high as Rs 80 lakh.

One such recipient, Parul Tomar from Muzaffarnagar, was reportedly in urgent need of a transplant. Her family was allegedly extorted for Rs 60 lakh for the procedure. Based on these findings, police and health department officials conducted raids at three hospitals in Kanpur’s Kalyanpur area.

During the raids, one Hospital was found to be operating without registration and has since been sealed. The donor and Parul were recovered from the premises, with the donor in critical condition and shifted to a government hospital. Authorities also seized Rs 1.75 lakh in cash and a large quantity of banned drugs.

Six individuals, including five doctors, have been arrested. One of the absconding suspects is alleged to have identified patients at dialysis centres and persuaded them to undergo illegal transplants. Others are believed to have been part of the surgical team conducting the procedures.

Speaking to NDTV, Police Commissioner Raghuveer Lal indicates that the racket was not just active in Kanpur but that it could have links to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and even Nepal. It is believed to have carried out between 40 and 50 illegal transplants, including on foreigners, he said.

The three hospitals have been issued notices seeking an explanation on patient admissions and transplant procedures, Additional Chief Medical Officer Ramit Rastogi told reporters, adding that there is a possibility that their licences could get cancelled. Police have also revealed that a South African woman, Arbica, underwent a kidney transplant on March 3. Though intelligence inputs had flagged the case earlier, officials said the information could not be acted upon in time, reports PTI.

Health officials have initiated proceedings to cancel the licenses of the hospitals involved. Legal action has been taken under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, as well as relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

Also Read:Kidney Transplant Scam: Fake doctor arrested for duping man of Rs 1 Lakh