The Tamil Nadu government has initiated a high-level inquiry into a shocking pan-India illegal kidney transplant racket, with a doctor based in Trichy identified as a primary suspect. The probe, ordered amidst growing concerns over organ trafficking, will be conducted by Additional Director (Inspection) Dr. A. Pragalathan.
Failed Raid and Missing Documents
This decisive action comes just a day after a district-level team, led by JDHS Gopinath, visited the hospital linked to the alleged racket. Their visit, however, proved futile. The team returned empty-handed, unable to locate the accused doctor, Dr. G. Rajaratnam, or any staff members who could provide crucial evidence. Key documents such as case sheets, donor records, and transplant registries were also not found during the Friday visit.
Scope of the New Investigation
According to sources from the Directorate of Medical Services (DMS), the inquiry by ADMS Dr. Pragalathan is set to begin on Monday. The officer will carry out a thorough investigation, which will specifically include probing whether the hospital maintained any illegal donor registries. This deeper probe aims to uncover the details that the initial district team could not access.
In a related development, the state government has also confirmed that it has sought detailed reports from the Maharashtra government regarding this interstate crime.
Suspect on the Run, Seeks Legal Shield
Meanwhile, Dr. Rajaratnam, who is currently evading authorities, has approached the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court seeking interim transit bail. The Maharashtra police have already booked him under sections 18 and 19 of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA).
Their case alleges that several illegal kidney transplant surgeries were performed at the Trichy hospital. Police claim the doctor played a central role in identifying donors through a network of intermediaries involved in the illicit trade.
The interstate dimension of the case became clear a few days ago when Maharashtra police personnel arrived in Trichy and conducted a raid on the hospital. They later left the location after the local district police advised them to follow the proper legal and procedural channels for such an operation.
