Kanpur Police Arrest Key Suspect in Kidney Transplant Racket, Seize Rs 9 Lakh Cash
In a significant breakthrough, the Kanpur police arrested Parvez Saifi, a prime suspect in the high-profile kidney transplant case, along with his aide in the Rawatpur area late on Tuesday. The police also seized a substantial amount of Rs 9 lakh in cash during the operation, marking a crucial development in the ongoing investigation.
Notorious Criminal from Meerut Linked to Doctors
Parvez Saifi, a resident of Meerut, has been identified by the police as a notorious criminal with deep connections to the illicit organ trade network. According to official statements, Saifi was reportedly linked to Drs Afzal and Rohit, the main doctors implicated in the case. He allegedly provided vehicles and logistical support to these doctors, facilitating their operations in Kanpur.
DCP (West) SM Qasim Abidi elaborated on Saifi's role, stating that he organized transportation for Dr Afzal, Dr Rohit, and other staff from the National Capital Region (NCR) to Kanpur. Saifi collaborated closely with Dr Afzal on logistics and transportation arrangements and was involved in reconnaissance activities prior to the illegal transplant operations.
Evidence from Interrogations and Digital Footprints
The police investigation gained momentum when recently jailed accused individuals, Kuldeep and Rajesh Kumar, named Parvez Saifi during their interrogation. This revelation provided a critical lead for the authorities. Additionally, a video recovered from the phone of another jailed suspect, Shivam Agrawal, showed Dr Afzal and Parvez Saifi lying on bundles of Rs 500 notes, further implicating them in financial transactions related to the case.
Police sources disclosed that the money seized and shown in the video was allegedly given by a woman from Muzaffarnagar who underwent a kidney transplant. Dr Afzal reportedly received Rs 22 lakh for the procedure, out of which Rs 10 lakh was taken by Parvez Saifi. This financial trail has become a focal point of the investigation.
Audio and Video Evidence Uncover Disturbing Details
During the investigation, police obtained both video and audio evidence that provided important leads. An audio recording revealed the tragic death of a woman following a kidney transplant, highlighting the grave risks associated with these illegal operations. The investigation into the donor-recipient relationships is still ongoing, with new facts emerging from the interrogation of accused Shivam Agrawal. These details are being used to pursue further legal action against all involved parties.
Hospitals and Individuals Implicated in the Racket
The illegal kidney transplants were conducted at two hospitals in Kanpur: Ahuja Hospital in Keshavpuram and Medilife Hospital in Maswanpur. The operations involved a network of individuals, including Dr Rohit, Dr Afzal, OT assistant Mudassar Ali, Kuldeep Singh Raghav, and Rajesh Kumar. So far, the police have sent several individuals to jail, including Ahuja Hospital director Dr Surjit Singh, Dr Preeti Ahuja, Shivam Agrawal, Rajesh Kumar, Ram Prakash Kushwaha, Narendra Singh, Kuldeep Singh Raghav, and Rajesh Kumar Tomar.
The arrests and seizures represent a major step in dismantling the organ trade racket, with authorities continuing to probe deeper into the network to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.
