A major breakthrough has emerged in the Kanpur kidney transplant racket, with police recovering a crucial audio recording from the alleged mastermind’s phone. The clip is now being treated as key evidence, revealing the gang’s operations and its links across multiple cities in Uttar Pradesh.
Audio Recording Reveals Financial Dealings and Network Links
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) SM Qasim Abidi, the recovered audio was shared with an associate based in Prayagraj. In the conversation, the associate refers to a broker who allegedly collected ₹22 lakh using the mastermind’s name.
The mastermind is reportedly heard downplaying the issue, claiming that he and a doctor involved in the racket routinely handle crores of rupees, indicating the scale of the illegal operations.
Meerut Hospital Under Scanner, Separate Probe Initiated
The district health department in Meerut has launched a parallel investigation and issued a notice to a private hospital on Garh Road over its suspected involvement in the racket.
Another doctor linked to Alpha Hospital in Meerut remains absconding, while authorities intensify efforts to trace his whereabouts.
Prayagraj Raid and Key Revelations from Mastermind’s Wife
Police teams conducted a raid at the residence of the Prayagraj-based associate, but he remains missing.
Meanwhile, the mastermind’s wife was interrogated for nearly six hours at Rawatpur police station. During questioning, she revealed that her husband had been associated for about a year with a Ghaziabad-based doctor believed to be a central figure in the network.
She also named the manager of Ramashiv Hospital, who was allegedly in contact with the same doctor.
Illegal Transplant Linked to Woman’s Death
The audio clip also references the death of a woman following a kidney transplant. She was initially taken to Delhi and admitted to Max Hospital, Dwarka, but later died.
Investigations confirmed that the transplant had been performed at Medilife Hospital in December, after which her condition deteriorated. A doctor from Kannauj has been arrested in connection with the case, while two other doctors are still on the run.
Broker Duped Patient of ₹20 Lakh
Police revealed that a broker involved in the racket defrauded a patient of ₹20 lakh by promising a kidney transplant at half the official cost. The accused later absconded, and multiple raids are underway to locate him.
Network of Doctors, Technicians, and Hospital Operators
Interestingly, none of the identified gang members are surgeons. The network comprises doctors, hospital operators, OT technicians, and intermediaries working across different cities.
Two OT technicians initially claimed that all surgeries were conducted at Ahuja Hospital. However, mobile phone analysis revealed contacts with multiple hospitals, including Medilife Hospital in Maswanpur.
Fake Travel Arrangements and Logistics Support
Investigators also uncovered the role of a travel agent who arranged vehicles under fake identities for transporting gang members between hospitals. Taxi drivers were reportedly paid minimal per-kilometre charges for these trips.
Police to Seek Custodial Remand
Authorities are now preparing to approach the district court to seek the mastermind’s remand for deeper interrogation. The recovered audio, believed to be from December last year, has not yet been made public.
So far, nine individuals have been arrested, and the investigation continues to expand as more links in the interstate organ trafficking network come to light.
