Police Expand Probe Into Hospitals, Fake Certificates and Organ Transplant Verification Process
In a major crackdown on an alleged illegal organ donation racket in Kerala, six people have been arrested for reportedly creating and supplying forged documents to facilitate illegal organ transplants. The investigation is now being widened to examine whether hospital protocols were bypassed knowingly or unknowingly during the organ donation approval process.
The arrests were made during a joint operation by the Ernakulam Rural Police and Kochi City Police. Among those arrested is the alleged mastermind, Najeeb, who was apprehended in Uttar Pradesh.
According to police officials, the gang allegedly identified financially vulnerable individuals, offered them money, and arranged forged documentation to falsely establish eligibility for organ donation procedures.
Hospitals Under Scanner as Police Probe SOP Violations
Speaking to reporters, Kochi City Police Commissioner Kumar said the investigation would now focus on how mandatory verification systems were allegedly circumvented despite strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing organ transplantation.
“Hospitals will become part of the investigation as it progresses. Whether this was done with or without their knowledge, this is an area where strict SOPs and procedures are in force. We need to examine how those procedures were bypassed,” he said.
Police teams across Kerala have reportedly been instructed to coordinate in the ongoing probe, and state-run hospitals may also come under scrutiny.
Fake Letterheads, Police Clearances and Forged Political Endorsements Used
Investigators revealed that the organ donation approval process requires multiple layers of verification, including certificates and endorsements from police authorities, local self-government bodies, doctors, MLAs, and MPs.
According to the FIR, the accused allegedly forged several official documents, including:
- Fake police clearance certificates
- Forged hospital letterheads from two private hospitals in Kochi
- Fake recommendation letters purportedly issued in the names of political leaders and public representatives
The forged documents allegedly carried the names of former Uduma MLA C.H. Kunhambu, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, former Kuthuparamba MLA K.P. Mohanan, former Aroor MLA Daleema Jojo, former Kerala Chief Whip N. Jayaraj, and Alathur MP K. Radhakrishnan.
Racket Allegedly Active Since 2023
Police stated that the racket had allegedly been operating since August 2023. Authorities suspect the network may have facilitated multiple illegal organ donations using fabricated identities and forged approvals.
Following the revelations, a case has been registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to forgery, cheating, and the use of forged documents.
