The Ernakulam rural police have uncovered a major forgery racket involved in illegal organ trade, with documents seized during the probe indicating that all connected surgeries took place in Kerala. At least 20 individuals are suspected to have undergone organ transplants through this racket, according to Superintendent of Police K S Sudarshan.
Modus Operandi of the Racket
SP Sudarshan explained that while organ donations are typically allowed only between close relatives or for altruistic purposes on humanitarian grounds, those involved in this racket are forging certificates to falsely claim that donors and recipients are near relatives. Alternatively, they are fabricating police certificates regarding altruistic purposes to bypass legal requirements.
Financial Transactions
The officer stated that the exact amounts received by donors can be confirmed by recording their statements, but preliminary analysis suggests donors were paid between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh. Recipients, on the other hand, paid between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 25 lakh for the illegal transplants. Donors were primarily recruited through existing donors who informed others about the scheme. Many donors come from economically deprived areas, making them willing to take such risks.
Investigation into International Links
A probe will be conducted to determine whether the racket has any international connections, Sudarshan added. The foreign trips of the prime accused, Mohammed Najeeb, a 53-year-old arrested from Ghaziabad, will be scrutinized. In 2024, the Ernakulam rural police had invoked human trafficking charges against a separate racket involved in conducting illegal transplants in Iran.
Human Trafficking Angle
Sudarshan clarified that if the cases are separate instances of connecting willing donors and recipients, the human trafficking angle may not apply. However, if it is an organized effort to harvest kidneys, human trafficking charges could be included. A detailed report will be submitted to the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) outlining the nature of the scams and recommended precautions.
