Arrest in Chandrapur
Chandrapur: A fake doctor from Solapur, involved in an international kidney trafficking racket, has been arrested for allegedly sending poor villagers from Maharashtra to Cambodia for illegal kidney removal.
SIT Investigation
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the racket found that the accused, Mallesh, posing as “Dr Krishna,” took around 10–12 people to a hospital in Cambodia to remove their kidneys and earned commissions from the racketeers.
Accused’s Background
Mallesh, a jobless engineer, reportedly became an agent in the kidney racket after having sold his own kidney in 2018 due to financial distress. Police described him as a former victim turned facilitator of illegal organ sales.
Complaint That Triggered Probe
The case came to light following a complaint by Roshan Kude, a farmer from Nagbhid tehsil, Chandrapur, who alleged that he sold his kidney in Cambodia to repay a loan. Kude had borrowed Rs. 1 lakh, which ballooned to Rs. 74 lakh due to exorbitant interest, forcing him to take drastic measures.
Modus Operandi of the Racket
Kude reportedly came in contact with the accused via a ‘Kidney Donor Community’ page. Following instructions from “Dr Krishna,” he travelled to Kolkata and then Cambodia to sell his kidney. Police said the accused received Rs. 1 lakh per victim as commission.
Court Remand and SIT Action
Following his arrest, Mallesh was produced in court and remanded to four days of police custody for further investigation. Using SIM card data, the SIT traced him to Solapur and arrested him to uncover the extent of the racket.
Additional Arrests
Police have so far arrested five moneylenders involved in the case, while one is still absconding. The SIT is continuing the probe to determine how many people the accused abetted in selling their kidneys.
Seriousness of the Case
Chandrapur Superintendent of Police Sudarshan Mummaka emphasized the gravity of the racket, noting that it exploited financially vulnerable villagers and operated across international borders, prompting the formation of the SIT for an in-depth investigation.
