CID Probe Ordered Into Kidney Sale Racket

The State Government today transferred the investigation into the kidney sale racket, which surfaced at Alaknanda Hospital in the city, to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha authorised this action and called for a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.

The move comes in response to growing public concern over the illegal organ trade and the need for stringent action against those involved.

The decision was made during a review meeting held by the minister, where the preliminary report from a doctors' committee was examined.

The report revealed that Alaknanda Hospital conducted kidney transplant surgeries without proper permissions, violating established rules. Officials informed the minister that the hospital exploited financially vulnerable individuals from Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The racket involved procuring kidneys from two women in Tamil Nadu and transplanting them into patients from Karnataka.

For the unversed, to date, the police have apprehended eight individuals, including the hospital's chairman Sumanth and another suspect named Gopi. Both Sumanth and Gopi have been presented before a judge.

Law enforcement officials also arrested another individual on Tuesday. The arrest helped investigators gather names and phone numbers of several people involved in facilitating kidney donors and recipients from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.