Court expresses concern over inaction
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a detailed report on steps taken against those involved in the kidney transplant racket linked to Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College Hospital, Perambalur, and Cethar Hospitals, Trichy. The bench, comprising Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice G Arul Murugan, observed that “sale of human organs like any commodity is unacceptable,” questioning why no arrests had been made despite clear violations.
Petitioner highlights government’s inaction
The order came on a PIL by SN Sathiswaran of Paramakudi, who alleged the state was failing to curb organ trafficking. He claimed poor textile workers from Namakkal were lured into selling kidneys for ₹5–10 lakh but were paid less, while recipients paid higher amounts to brokers.
Hospitals lose licences over forged approvals
Following revelations, the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services revoked the transplant licences of both hospitals for violating the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994. The inquiry found brokers and hospital staff colluded to submit forged documents, falsely showing unrelated donors as relatives.
Brokers and staff named, but no arrests
Key intermediaries Anandan and Stanley Mohan, along with transplant coordinators and hospital staff, allegedly facilitated the racket. Despite strong evidence, the petitioner argued arrests were avoided due to political links of hospital owners to ruling DMK figures, and even whistleblowers were silenced.
Call for CBI probe and independent committee
The petitioner demanded the case be handed to the CBI and an independent IAS–medical professionals’ panel be formed to identify victims, perpetrators and institutions involved. He criticised the Health Minister for downplaying the crime as “kidney irregularities” instead of kidney theft.
Court seeks action plan, next hearing August 21
The bench directed the Health Principal Secretary and Director of Medical and Rural Health Services to submit reports detailing action taken and mechanisms to prevent organ theft. The matter will be heard again on August 21.
