Kochi, 23 July (H.S.):The Kerala government has constituted a multi-agency Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged organ trafficking and document-forgery racket centred in Kochi, amid allegations of illegal kidney transplants, forged official records and financial transactions routed through hawala and cryptocurrency channels.
The Home Department has appointed Ernakulam Rural District Police Chief K.S. Sudarshan, Superintendent of Police, to head the SIT. The decision follows investigations that allegedly uncovered an organised network led by Mohammed Najeeb Kallatra, a native of Kasaragod, who is accused of arranging forged documents to facilitate illegal kidney transplants.
According to the government order, police investigations in cases registered at Kunnathunad and Vadakkekkara police stations revealed that the syndicate prepared fake identity and supporting documents to bypass the statutory approval process for organ transplantation. Investigators suspect forged MLA and MP letterheads, village certificates, marriage certificates and SSLC books were used to falsely establish relationships between donors and recipients.
The probe has found that around 35 transplant cases are under scrutiny. Police allege recipients paid nearly ₹15 lakh for each transplant, with donors receiving about ₹10 lakh and intermediaries retaining the remaining amount. Raids at establishments allegedly involved in preparing forged documents led to the seizure of material considered vital to the investigation.
One case under investigation involves a woman from Vadakkekkara who allegedly underwent kidney donation after being promised ₹10 lakh. Police suspect the transplant was carried out despite the Kerala High Court refusing permission, using fabricated records.
The SIT will include officers from the Cyber Cell, Economic Offences Wing, State Intelligence and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit. It will examine digital evidence, financial transactions, donor-recipient relationships and the possible involvement of hospitals, medical professionals and overseas brokers. The government has also directed the team to coordinate with central agencies and submit periodic progress reports, citing the alleged racket's possible national and international links.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman