Chennai, 18 July (H.S.): The Health Department in Tamil Nadu has launched an investigation into allegations of a kidney racket operating in Namakkal. According to reports, touts were reportedly persuading poor daily wage workers to sell their kidneys for money. A four-member team led by District Joint Director (Health Service) Rajmohan visited the house of a suspect in Annai Satya Nagar for inquiry on Thursday.

Details of the Probe

The suspect, identified as Anandan, a native of Tirupur who moved to Namakkal six months ago, had gone into hiding. Inquiries with neighbors revealed that some persons visited his house with proof of identity like Aadhar cards and ration cards. A complaint has been made by Pallipalayam Government Hospital Medical Officer Veeramani to Pallipalayam police based on information that Anandan acted as a tout in the kidney racket.

It has emerged that the tout had persuaded some women to sell their kidneys, offering up to Rs 10 lakhs. Allegations suggest that two women were taken to Karnataka and operated on for their kidneys in return for a huge amount. The issue of the kidney racket in Namakkal has come to light again, targeting poor women.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary