Meerut Hospital under probe for alleged links to kidney transplant racket

Chief Medical Officer Ashok Kataria on Wednesday issued a notice to the hospital’s management, seeking clarification regarding its suspected connection and the possible role of its medical staff in relation to the accused involved in the Kanpur transplant case. The hospital has been asked to respond within three days, failing which authorities warned that failure to provide an explanation could result in strict action, including cancellation of the hospital’s licence, sealing of the facility, and other legal measures, reports The Daily.

The hospital came under the police radar when a team from the Medical College police station in Meerut paid a visit to the private hospital on Wednesday evening. The team looked into various details related to the hospital administration, including contact numbers of the owner and manager, along with collecting information about the individuals who have been mentioned in the FIR. Senior police officials confirmed that a police team from Kanpur is likely to visit the facility in Meerut to work jointly with the local police unit to carry on the investigation.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that following a dispute over a mere Rs 50,000, a massive illegal kidney transplant racket was 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. 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.

During the probe, a physiotherapist’s name allegedly came to light, and he has been identified as the owner of the Meerut hospital. Police sources confirmed that when they were conducting interrogation and document scrutiny in the Kanpur case, they came across certain names, and the Meerut authority immediately launched their own investigation to uncover the truth, and a notice has been issued to the hospital accordingly.

“The hospital administration has been asked to clarify what connection the accused named in the Kanpur case had with the private hospital. If no satisfactory response is received within three days, action, including licence cancellation, will be initiated. Arrangements are also being examined to shift admitted patients to other hospitals if required,” Dr Kataria told Hindustan Times.

Meerut SP City Ayush Vikram Singh confirmed that the hospital is under investigation now. “Kanpur police are investigating the Meerut private hospital angle. A police team from Kanpur has left for Meerut and will be assisted by the local police team. At present, the health department team is conducting its inquiry,” he said.

Officials said intelligence units are also actively trying to verify if the hospital premises, staff or infrastructure have been involved in the alleged illegal transplant network. The hospital management, on the other hand, has denied any such allegation or any connection with the Kanpur kidney racket. The hospital manager has ensured proper cooperation in the investigation.