Police Arrest Key Members of Kidney Racket
Hyderabad police have successfully busted a kidney racket operating from Alakananda Hospital in Saroor Nagar. Out of 15 suspects, 9 have been arrested, while 6 others are still on the run. Police suspect that Pawan, a key player in the gang, and Lakshman, both from Vizag, were central to the illegal operations.
Illegal Kidney Transplants Yield High Profits
The gang has been running illegal kidney transplants for the past seven months, with over 20 surgeries performed, generating a profit of ₹12 crore. The surgeries involved illegal organ trade, with patients paying high fees for transplants.
Gang’s Operations Spanned Multiple States
The investigation revealed that Tamil Nadu-based kidney donors Nasreen Banu and Firdosh, along with Karnataka residents who had undergone transplants, were involved in the racket. Dr. Avinash, previously running Janani Hospital in Saidabad, collaborated with Lakshman to facilitate these transplants.
The Cost and Network of the Illegal Operations
Each illegal kidney transplant cost around ₹60 lakhs, with ₹5 lakhs paid to the donors, ₹10 lakhs to surgeons, and the remaining money going to Pawan’s gang. They used hospital operating theaters for these procedures, with rent payments and other illicit activities contributing to their profits.
Further Investigations Underway
Police are continuing their investigation into the network, with additional arrests expected. The gang has been under scrutiny for months, and authorities believe that uncovering all suspects will reveal further illegal activities.
Arrests and Ongoing Actions
So far, police have arrested Dr. Avinash, Dr. Sumanth, Ponnuswami Pradeep, Suraj Mishra, receptionist Gopi, and others involved in the racket. The police investigation is ongoing, with efforts to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects.