The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered that a major organ trafficking racket in Kerala was operating under the cover of a medical tourism company. The agency stated that the accused forged several documents, including fake altruism certificates purportedly issued by the police, to facilitate illegal kidney transplants.
Forged Documents and Fake Certificates
According to the ED, the racket involved a network of brokers, doctors, and hospital staff who lured vulnerable individuals from other states and countries to donate kidneys for money. The donors were promised compensation, but after the transplant, they were often cheated. The accused created false altruism certificates to make the transplants appear voluntary and legal, as required under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act.
Medical Tourism as a Front
The investigation revealed that the racket used a medical tourism company as a front to attract foreign recipients, particularly from the Middle East. The company arranged travel, accommodation, and hospital stays for recipients, while coordinating with local hospitals for the transplants. The ED has identified multiple hospitals in Kerala that were involved in the illegal procedures.
ED Actions and Arrests
The ED has conducted searches at several locations in Kerala and seized incriminating documents, digital devices, and assets worth crores. The agency has also arrested key accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation is ongoing, with the ED probing the financial trail and identifying other beneficiaries of the racket.
Impact and Investigation
The racket is believed to have been operating for several years, with hundreds of illegal transplants performed. The ED's findings have raised serious questions about the oversight of organ transplants in the state. The agency is coordinating with state health authorities and the police to dismantle the entire network and bring all perpetrators to justice.
