NIA Cracks Down on Transnational Organ Trade Racket

NIA filed a chargesheet against four individuals involved in a transnational organ trade racket disguised as medical tourism. Three have been arrested, while one remains absconding. The gang exploited gullible youth and charged Rs 50 lakh from patients needing transplants. Investigations continue.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took a significant step on Saturday by filing a charge sheet in connection with a transnational organ trade racket camouflaged as medical tourism. According to an NIA statement, four individuals have been accused, including one who is currently absconding. The named suspects are Sabith Korukulath Nasar, Sajith Shyam, and Bellamkonda Ram Prasad, who have been apprehended, while Madhu Jayakumar remains on the run.

The charges against the accused encompass multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). As per NIA investigations, these individuals lured unsuspecting young people into donating their organs for monetary compensation and subsequently trafficked them to foreign countries. Agents and social media were employed to find and exploit these prospective organ donors in India.

The gang also targeted Indian patients in urgent need of organ transplants, extracting around Rs 50 lakh per surgery to facilitate operations in Iran. Both donors and recipients were led to believe that the organ trade was lawful in Iran. Investigation findings further divulged that forged documents, including seals and signatures from various government offices and officials, were used to legitimize the organ trade, stated the charge sheet.

The NIA took over the case on July 3 from the Nedumbassery Police in Kochi and continues to investigate. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)