Legal technicalities misused in kidney transplant racket: TN Health Minister Subramanian
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has acted swiftly in response to the kidney transplant racket involving two private hospitals, and stern action has been taken against those responsible, said Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Thursday.
Ma Subramanian, citing inquiries by a senior state official-led panel, said that flawed certifications and misuse of legal technicalities were among the reasons behind the illegal kidney transplantation racket in the state.
He emphasised the swift action of the state government, including the cancellation of licences of two hospitals, to conduct organ transplants and the arrest of two brokers.
Replying to the special calling attention motion of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Edappadi K Palaniswami in the Assembly, Subramanian provided a detailed explanation.
Also Read:2 Tamil Nadu Hospitals Face Licence Suspension Over Kidney Racket Allegations
Palaniswami, moving the motion, sought stern action against the perpetrators of the illegal kidney sale racket who misused the poverty of power loom workers belonging to Pallipalayam in Namakkal district and made crores of rupees.
According to the PTI report, the LoP sought action against those involved in the scam, including private hospitals, doctors and officials as well who issued relevant certificates to facilitate transplants.
The AIADMK chief also referred to the alleged illegal removal of liver from a 37-year-old woman, instead of her kidney, even without her knowledge.
In his reply, Subramanian referred to the government constituting in July this year a panel of officials led by TN Health Systems Project Director, Dr S Vineeth, to look into the allegations of illegal kidney transplant and submit a report to the government.
Following inspections at Pallipalayam in Namakkal district and in Tiruchirappalli as well, the licence to conduct kidney transplant for Cethar Hospital in Tiruchirappalli and Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College Hospital in Permabalur was suspended, the minister said.
The investigation revealed that legal technicalities were misused and certificates were submitted in the wrong manner to facilitate transplants.
The official also provided recommendations to the authorisation committees.
The government, after considering the recommendations of the top official-led panel, cancelled the licence allowing transplants at the two hospitals, one at Tiruchirappalli and another one at Perambalur, the minister said and underscored impartial, swift action.
The panel also submitted 10 recommendations, which include maintaining records for 10 years in view of the medico-legal aspect, SOP for recipients and donors before transplant and rejigging the authorisation committees (including the Chennai Kilpauk Directorate of Medical Education and Research-based panel), audit of transplants and submission of annual report in this regard to the government.
Other recommendations include district collectors being asked to create continuous awareness on the illegality of selling organs in the name of organ donation.
Subramanian, referring to Palaniswami's remark on kidney transplant-related complaints from Pallipalayam in Namakkal district, and another MLA speaking on alleged kidney sale in Salem for Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, said such activities had happened in the past as well.
The minister said that while the previous regime did not act on such matters, Chief Minister Stalin ordered immediate legal action. That is why the transplant licence of the two hospitals have been cancelled.
Criminal action was taken against the intermediaries, identified as Stanley Mohan and Anandan, and both were arrested.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up as per the August 25, 2025, order of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court is functioning, and the team has made the arrests, reports PTI.
Departmental action has been taken against seven officials for mistakenly approving documents without proper verification, added the health minister.
The minister also said efforts are being taken to create awareness among poor people about the illegal kidney sale, alongside legal actions.
Also Read:Kidney Transplant Racket: Chennai-Based Surgeon Arrested
