The Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into the shocking kidney trafficking racket in Chandrapur has faced a setback. The team returned from Kolkata without capturing the third alleged handler in the illicit network. Investigators are now gearing up to send a fresh team to the eastern metropolis within the next 48 hours in a renewed bid to trace the absconding accused.
Intensified Probe Across Multiple Fronts
Police sources indicate that this renewed push is part of a broader, intensified effort to map every single layer of the organ trafficking chain. While the SIT spearheads the main investigation, parallel probes have been initiated by the Local Crime Branch (LCB) and the cyber cell. These units are scrutinizing bank transactions, digital footprints, and social media activity gathered during the investigation so far.
Technical analysis of the third accused's communication patterns and financial movements is currently underway. Authorities hope this digital trail will help pinpoint his current whereabouts. The urgency of the capture has been heightened as the police custody of the two already arrested intermediaries is set to expire.
Race Against Time as Custody Ends
The police custody of the two arrested men—Ramkrishna Sunchu alias Krishna and Himanshu Bhardwaj—comes to an end on Monday. Their interrogation provided crucial operational intelligence that led the SIT to Kolkata in the first place. Sources reveal that the third handler managed to evade capture by switching off his phone and going into hiding just before the investigative team reached his location.
This sprawling kidney racket first captured national attention after Roshan Kule, a farmer from Minthur village in Chandrapur's Nagbhid taluka, came forward. Kule alleged he was forced to sell his kidney to settle mounting debts owed to illegal moneylenders. His heartbreaking revelation triggered the formation of the SIT and the subsequent arrests of Sunchu and Bhardwaj, who are believed to have played key roles in facilitating the organ sale.
Why Capturing the Third Accused is Crucial
Officials state that apprehending the third accused is critical for the case. His capture is expected to help establish the true extent of the syndicate's network, which may include interstate financial routes and recruitment channels. Investigators have indicated that the next field operation in Kolkata is being planned with additional technical and logistical support to prevent any further evasion by the accused.
The case highlights a grim underground trade and has put a spotlight on the vulnerabilities that lead to such desperate acts. The Chandrapur police remain determined to dismantle the entire network, one arrest at a time.
