New Delhi, August 20
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) chargesheeted four accused in a Nedumbassery (Kerala) transnational organ trade racket in the guise of medical tourism.
While three of the accused, identified as Sabith Korukulath Nasar, Sajith Shyam, Bellamkonda Ram Prasad, have been arrested, the fourth, Madhu Jayakumar, is absconding. All four have been charged under various sections of IPC.
The accused were involved in inducing gullible youth into donating their organs for money, and trafficking the same to foreign nations as part of a major illegal organ trade racket. They would identify prospective organ donors in India to exploit them by inducing and offering them money through agents and through social media, as per NIA investigations.
The gang also approached Indian patients in need of transplantation, and charged around Rs. 50 lakh from them to facilitate their organ transplantation in Iran. The donors and recipients were made to believe that organ trade is legal in Iran. Investigations further revealed that the accused had forged documents, including seals and signatures of various offices and officers of the Government, to facilitate their illegal organ trading.
The NIA, which had taken over the case on 3rd July 2024 from Nedumbassery Police, Ernakulam (Kerala), is continuing with its investigation.
