A shocking illegal kidney transplant racket in Kanpur has been exposed, revealing a network of unqualified individuals, private hospitals, and potential international links exploiting vulnerable patients.
A widening probe into an illegal kidney transplant racket in Kanpur has uncovered a shocking nexus involving unqualified individuals, private hospitals and a suspected multi-state and possibly international network, police said on Friday.
Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said that four key accused, initially believed to be qualified doctors, were in fact untrained practitioners, including a technician, physiotherapist, pharmacy operator and a dentist. The accused -- Rohit Tiwari alias Rahul, Amit alias Anurag, Afzal and Vaibhav -- are currently absconding.
Investigators have so far confirmed at least six illegal transplants, including five at Ahuja Hospital and one linked to MedLife facility, though officials suspect the actual number could be significantly higher.
In a disturbing revelation, a woman who underwent an illegal transplant about a year ago later died. Police said she was shifted to a higher medical facility under the pretext of gall bladder treatment to conceal the procedure.
The probe has also brought two super-speciality hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) under scrutiny for allegedly receiving patients with fabricated medical records. According to officials, transplant cases were often masked as gall bladder treatments before referral.
The police have identified a Kanpur-based middleman, Sahil, as a crucial link who allegedly connected donors and recipients by offering kidney transplants at nearly half the market cost.
The officials said the racket appeared to be highly organised, with separate teams handling donors, recipients, logistics and surgeries. Medical personnel would reportedly travel from other cities, conduct transplants within hours and leave immediately.
The investigation has revealed links spanning multiple states, including Delhi, Mumbai, West Bengal and Haryana, with indications that foreign nationals may also have availed the illegal procedures.
So far, eight people have been arrested in the case, including two operation theatre technicians held earlier for assisting in surgeries and arranging equipment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) S M Qasim Abidi said teams are conducting raids to trace the absconding accused and are examining the role of several hospitals where similar procedures may have been carried out.
The Uttar Pradesh government and the health department have sought a detailed report on the matter, and a comprehensive dossier is being prepared, the officials added.