Gujarat police have busted a major inter-state racket in trafficking kidneys, after five people complained of being victims to a gang engaged in the illegal activity. Thirteen people were brought to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on suspicion that they had sold their kidneys.
While the police have information of 80 similar cases, whether they were victims of the racket or just a part of it is yet to be confirmed. The work is believed to be of an organised gang with operations across Gujarat, Chennai and Sri Lanka. Dean of BJ Medical College, Bharat Shah, said it appeared the kidneys were taken out by experts. The first police complaint was lodged by Samir Badruddin Malek of Pandoli village. He was taken to Delhi and operated upon to remove a kidney. Yadav said that most people in the village are daily wage labourers, and one told police that he decided to sell his kidney as he was in dire need of money, while another did so to finance his daughter’s wedding.
A Special Investigation Team has been formed by Anand district superintendent of police Ashok Kumar Yadav to further probe into the kidney racket. The team has spread across Delhi and Mumbai to see whether “big fish” are involved in it. Investigators have hinted of seeking help from the Interpol to look into the link of the kidney extractions carried out in Sri Lanka. They have documents that confirmed that more than five people travelled to Sri Lanka with help from “agents” to sell their kidneys.
A senior investigating officer said, “More than five people from Pandoli have travelled to Sri Lanka for kidney extractions via Chennai, with help of agents. There are high chances that we will report this international link to the Centre and seek help from the Interpol after following the procedure of law. With help from Interpol, we will be able to probe this link.”
