In a significant development in a sprawling multi-state kidney trafficking case, the Chandrapur police have strongly opposed the anticipatory bail plea of a key accused, Dr Ravinder Pal Singh. The prosecution has urged the sessions court to reject his application, arguing it is legally untenable as the Delhi-based doctor has already been arrested. The court is expected to deliver its order on Wednesday.
Legal Battle and Court Proceedings
The legal journey of this case has seen movement across states. Dr. Singh had initially secured interim relief following a transit remand order from a Delhi court related to the kidney transplant investigation. The matter was then transferred to the sessions court in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, where detailed arguments from both sides were presented in the latest hearing.
The prosecution's firm stand highlights the seriousness of the allegations. They contended that since Dr. Singh is already in custody, his plea for anticipatory bail holds no legal ground. This move by the Chandrapur police underscores their intent to ensure the accused remains available for the ongoing, complex investigation.
Victim's Harrowing Ordeal Comes to Light
Meanwhile, investigators have peeled back another layer of this alleged organ trafficking network by identifying one of the victims. Mohammad Tariq Khan (36), a resident of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, was reportedly paid ₹5 lakh for his kidney.
The investigation reveals a disturbing trail of exploitation. Khan was first taken to Cambodia along with another individual, farmer Roshan Kule, for the organ removal procedure. However, doctors in Cambodia refused to operate, citing Khan's O-negative blood group and his frail physical condition.
Undeterred, the alleged racketeers brought him back to India. After approximately a month, Khan was called to Trichy in Tamil Nadu. It was at a private hospital there that his kidney was finally removed. This detail exposes the transnational and pan-India operational reach of the alleged syndicate.
Deepening Scrutiny on Hospital Operations
In a twist that intensifies scrutiny on the medical facilities involved, police have disclosed another chilling fact. The kidney of another accused in the same case, Himanshu Bhardwaj, was also extracted at the very same private hospital in Trichy.
This revelation raises serious questions about the role of the hospital and the ethical safeguards, or lack thereof, that allowed such procedures to take place. It suggests a potentially systematized method of operation, deepening the probe into how the racket functioned and who all were complicit in the illegal transplants.
The case continues to unfold, revealing a network that preyed on vulnerable individuals across states and borders. The court's upcoming decision on the bail plea will be a crucial step in determining the course of justice for the accused and the victims alike.
