Kochi, 19 May (H.S.): The investigation into the alleged organ trafficking and forgery racket operating in Kochi has intensified, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kochi City Police preparing to seek the custody of prime accused Mohammad Najeeb for detailed interrogation as investigators attempt to unravel the full scale of the network.

Najeeb, who had allegedly been on the run for several weeks, was arrested recently by the Ernakulam Rural Police from a hideout in Ghaziabad near the Delhi–Uttar Pradesh border. Investigators had tracked him down following a prolonged search after he allegedly evaded arrest in connection with the case.

After his arrest, Najeeb was brought to Kerala and interrogated by the Ernakulam Rural Police as part of the probe into the alleged organ trade syndicate. Following the completion of the custody period granted to the Rural Police, he was produced before a court on Monday and remanded in judicial custody. Police sources said the Kochi City Police SIT will soon approach the court seeking his custody for further questioning in cases registered within city limits.

Investigators have also widened the probe into Najeeb’s financial transactions. Police teams examining his monetary dealings have reportedly identified a primary bank account in Kakkanad through which several lakh rupees are believed to have been routed.

Officials are now scrutinising the movement of funds, including the origin of deposits and details of accounts to which money was transferred. Investigators suspect that portions of the funds may have been moved abroad, prompting a deeper examination of banking records and digital evidence.

Meanwhile, the custody period of Najeeb’s wife Rasheeda also ended on Monday. Police are expected to seek her custody for further questioning based on financial records and call data analysis.

According to investigators, the network allegedly led by Najeeb had been active for nearly five years and is suspected to have facilitated around 40 organ transplant procedures.

In a significant development, police also arrested Debin Joseph, a native of Marayoor and allegedly one of Najeeb’s key associates. Investigators claim he operated under the cover of spa centres to coordinate activities linked to the racket. He too has been remanded, and police are expected to seek his custody as they continue efforts to expose the full extent of the alleged network.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman