Mumbai: A probe by Maharashtra Police into a money-lending complaint in Chandrapur has led to the unearthing of a pan-India kidney transplant racket allegedly operating through a private hospital in Tamil Nadu, with links extending to Cambodia.
The case came to light after Chandrapur resident and dairy farmer Roshan Kule approached Maharashtra Police, claiming he was forced to sell a kidney in Cambodia to escape harassment by loan sharks.
Mummaka Sudarshan, Superintendent of Police, Chandrapur, said Maharashtra Police have identified two doctors as key figures in the network, Ravinder Pal Singh based in New Delhi and Rajaratnam Govindswamy, managing director of Star Kims Hospital in Trichy, Tamil Nadu.
Based on the findings, Maharashtra Police constituted a Special Investigation Team and deployed Local Crime Branch personnel to New Delhi and Trichy to detain the two doctors after their names repeatedly surfaced during the investigation. The probe has also revealed that illegal kidney transplant procedures were allegedly conducted within India, and not limited to overseas locations.
Earlier, Maharashtra Police arrested the main accused, Ramkrishna Sanchu, also known as Krishna, who allegedly posed as a doctor despite having no medical qualifications, along with his associate Himanshu Bharadwaj. During interrogation, investigators found that both had sold their own kidneys in the past due to financial distress.
Police said Bharadwaj came in contact with Krishna through social media and was later taken to Star Kims Hospital in Trichy, where the transplant was allegedly carried out. Technical analysis conducted by Maharashtra Police confirmed that Bharadwaj sold his kidney under financial pressure, with Krishna facilitating his travel and hospital admission.
According to Maharashtra Police, recipients were charged between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 80 lakh for a kidney transplant, while donors allegedly received only Rs 5 to 8 lakh. Of the remaining amount, around Rs 10 lakh was allegedly taken by Ravinder Pal Singh, about Rs 20 lakh was charged by the hospital for the surgery, while the rest was allegedly taken by Krishna.
Sudarshan said the investigation has shifted focus from Cambodia to domestic players. “We have established a clear link between the donor, hospital, doctors and agents involved. Further connections may emerge as the investigation progresses,” he said.
The Special Investigation Team is being led by Ishwar Katkade, Additional SP. Maharashtra Police said statements of several individuals who allegedly accompanied the victims are yet to be recorded, and assistance from state and central agencies will be sought if more links come to light.
BI Bureau
