Authorities in Kanpur are investigating an alleged illegal kidney transplant racket after a purported middleman, identified as Shivam, claimed he facilitated around 50 transplants and received approximately ₹50,000 commission for each case, prompting action by police and the health department.
According to preliminary information, Shivam allegedly identified individuals facing financial distress and persuaded them to sell their kidneys due to monetary need or inducement. He is accused of establishing links between such donors, patients in need of transplants, and hospitals. It is alleged that forged documents were used within the network to present donors and recipients as relatives, enabling them to bypass legal procedures. Authorities suspect involvement at multiple levels in conducting these illegal transplants.
During questioning, Shivam reportedly named a major hospital in Delhi. While no official confirmation or clarification of the hospital’s role has been made, the disclosure has shifted investigative focus towards large private hospitals in the capital. Police and health department teams are examining records of hospitals where suspected transplants may have taken place.
The case raises concerns about compliance within a regulated medical domain. In India, kidney transplants are governed by legal provisions that allow donations primarily between close relatives or under special approval. Allegations of large-scale transplants facilitated through intermediaries suggest potential violations of these regulations.
Police are working to map the network, determine the number of individuals involved, identify hospitals where transplants were conducted, and establish the number of patients and donors linked to the alleged racket. Investigators are also examining whether doctors or hospital administrations were complicit. Officials indicated that confirmation of such involvement could expand the scope of the case and bring additional individuals under scrutiny.
The incident has highlighted concerns about illegal organ trafficking networks operating in the country. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the extent of the racket and the actions to be taken against those found responsible.
