Kanpur Kidney Transplant Racket: Lookout notices issued for four doctors as probe expands

Kanpur: In a major crackdown on a suspected illegal kidney transplant racket in Kanpur, police have issued lookout notices for four key accused doctors and are expanding the investigation into a suspected multi-city network, a senior official said on Wednesday.

According to a recent PTI report, police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said lookout notices are being initiated against four doctors who are currently absconding and are believed to be central to the operation.

The ongoing probe is now focusing on the racket's nexus, modus operandi and money trail, including how donors and recipients were sourced and persuaded, he added. 

Medical Dialogues recently reported that 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.

Also Read:Kanpur Doctor Couple Detained in Illegal Kidney Transplant Racket

The issue came to light after Ayush, a suspected donor from Begusarai in Bihar, regained consciousness in the ICU and recorded his statement. He told police that he had mortgaged his land due to financial distress and was lured into the racket through a Delhi-based contact via Telegram. He was later introduced to the accused doctors.

According to the police, the victim was initially promised Rs 9 lakh for donating his kidney, which was later reduced to Rs 6 lakh. However, he alleged that he ultimately received only Rs 3.5 lakh, leading to disputes among those involved in the racket.

Investigators said three of the accused were linked to a hospital in Meerut, while the other allegedly led the network and conducted transplant procedures with his team, bringing along medicines and equipment. 

The police have uncovered evidence suggesting a highly organised operation. CCTV cameras were allegedly switched off before surgeries, hospital staff were sent on leave, and donors and recipients were shifted between hospitals to evade detection. SIM cards used to coordinate were reportedly destroyed after each procedure.

Seven to eight illegal transplants have been confirmed at a hospital in Kanpur, while evidence points to 40-50 such procedures across multiple locations, officials said, suspecting that the actual number could exceed further. 

The probe has now expanded to several cities, including Kanpur, Lucknow, Noida, Dehradun, Meerut and Delhi. Multiple police teams have been deployed to trace and arrest the absconding accused, Lal said, reports PTI.

Authorities have also flagged serious violations by private hospitals. One facility was sealed for operating without a valid licence, while another was found to be running without proper registration.

At a third hospital, no valid licence for urology services was found despite transplant procedures allegedly being carried out.

Chief Medical Officer Haridutt Nemi has been directed to conduct an independent inquiry and initiate strict action against erring institutions.

Meanwhile, the police have issued a fresh advisory mandating full CCTV coverage in hospitals and nursing homes, including entry and exit points, parking areas, lobbies and reception zones. Hospitals have also been directed to prominently display all licences and approvals.

The police said the investigation is ongoing, with further arrests and revelations expected in the coming days.

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