Arrest of Fake Doctor Linked to Kidney Trafficking Racket in Chandrapur

Overview of the Case

A fake doctor from Solapur has been apprehended in connection with an international kidney trafficking operation that reportedly facilitated the illegal removal of kidneys from impoverished villagers in Maharashtra, sending them to Cambodia. The arrest was executed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the kidney trafficking network.

Details of the Arrest

The accused, identified as Mallesh and masquerading as “Dr. Krishna,” is a jobless engineer, according to a report by Times of India (TOI). Authorities revealed that he had once been a victim of the trafficking scheme himself before becoming an agent. Following his arrest, he was presented in court and placed in four-day police custody for further inquiry.

Victim’s Testimony

The investigation was prompted by a complaint from Roshan Kude, a farmer from Nagbhid tehsil in Chandrapur district, who claimed he sold his kidney in Cambodia to settle a debt incurred from local moneylenders. Kude had borrowed Rs 1 lakh, which burgeoned to Rs 74 lakh due to exorbitant interest rates. Despite selling his possessions, he could not repay the debt and resorted to selling his kidney.

How the Trafficking Operation Worked

Kude connected with the accused through a “Kidney Donor Community” page online. Following the instructions of “Dr. Krishna,” he traveled from Kolkata to Cambodia for the procedure. Chandrapur Superintendent of Police Sudarshan Mummaka stated, “The investigation suggests that Krishna took around 10-12 persons to a hospital in Cambodia for removing their kidneys and received commissions in return.”

Investigation Progress

In light of the grave nature of the allegations, an SIT was formed to conduct a comprehensive investigation. Utilizing SIM card data, the SIT traced the suspect’s location to Solapur, leading to his arrest. It was further disclosed that “Dr. Krishna” operated under a false identity and had previously sold his own kidney in 2018 due to financial hardship. He reportedly earned a commission of Rs 1 lakh for each victim he assisted.

Current Status and Further Actions

The accused is being interrogated to ascertain how many individuals he helped in selling their kidneys. To date, police have arrested five moneylenders involved in the scheme, while one remains at large.