Congress Leader Demands MCOCA Against Organ Trade Racket in Maharashtra Farmer Kidney Case
In a shocking revelation in the Maharashtra State Assembly, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar has demanded the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) be invoked against those involved in a case where a debt-ridden farmer was allegedly forced to sell his kidney. The incident highlights the severe distress faced by farmers due to illegal moneylending practices.
Farmer's Desperate Plight and Alleged Organ Trade
Wadettiwar raised the issue through a calling attention motion, detailing the ordeal of Roshan Kule, a farmer from Minthur village in Chandrapur district's Nagbhid taluka. According to the Congress leader, Kule had initially borrowed ₹1 lakh but was allegedly coerced into repaying a staggering ₹74 lakh due to exorbitant interest rates and aggressive recovery tactics. Despite losing his tractor and agricultural land, the debt reportedly remained unresolved, pushing him into extreme financial despair.
The situation escalated when Kule was lured abroad with promises of employment at a data centre, a scheme Wadettiwar claims he personally intervened in to bring the farmer back to India. However, upon return, Kule fell victim to a moneylending racket that eventually led him to sell his kidney as part of an organised organ trade network. Wadettiwar emphasized that this case represents a grave violation of human rights and organized crime.
Demands for Justice and Financial Assistance
Wadettiwar has called for immediate action, urging the government to:
- Invoke MCOCA against the key conspirators and moneylenders involved in the racket.
- Provide ₹10 lakh in financial assistance from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support Kule's family, as he is the sole earning member and has suffered permanent physical and financial damage.
- Strengthen existing laws to prevent such offences in the future.
He alleged that the organ trade network has links extending to Delhi and parts of southern India, and questioned whether the government would take action against influential figures, including a Delhi-based doctor who is a Padma Shri nominee and allegedly connected to the network.
Government Response and Broader Implications
In response, Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar assured the Assembly of appropriate legal action against the guilty and stated that the government would consider enhancing laws to curb such crimes. This case underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect vulnerable farmers from predatory lending and organized crime.
Wadettiwar's intervention aims to not only seek justice for Kule but also to prompt swift government measures to prevent similar tragedies, ensuring that affected families can rebuild their lives with adequate support and legal protection.
