Kanpur kidney scandal: 8th Pass driver's international organ trade ring bids on telegram

Kanpur (The Uttam Hindu): The investigation into the illegal kidney transplant racket operating in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh has revealed shocking revelations that are enough to shock anyone. Investigating agencies have found that this horrific racket was carried out exactly like a Hollywood or Bollywood thriller film. So far, more than 60 illegal kidney transplants have been reported in the city, with links to foreign patients. The most shocking thing is that the mastermind behind this entire international network is not a prominent surgeon, but an ambulance driver who has only passed 8th standard.

The hospital staff used to disappear on the day of the operation

These illegal operations were carried out with such cunning and secrecy that the police or the health department would not even notice. On the day a patient was scheduled for a kidney transplant, the hospital's regular staff was sent on leave. A highly specialized "surgical team" would then arrive, only for a few hours. After the swift operation was performed, the patients were immediately transferred to undisclosed and isolated locations to avoid any connection. To evade the police, no medical records or official entries were kept for these patients.

8th grade pass ambulance driver wears stethoscope, foreign woman also becomes victim

The police became aware of this illegal operation last year, but the network was so sophisticated that it took months to reach the main link. It was only when Aarohi Hospital was raided and sealed that the syndicate began to unravel. The investigation also reached Ahuja Hospital, where evidence of seven or eight transplants was found. Meanwhile, the case of a foreign woman's transplant exposed its international connections. When the police arrested the mastermind, Shivam Agarwal, alias "Kana," even the investigating officers were stunned. Shivam, an eighth-grade graduate, previously drove an ambulance. Later, he began posing as a renowned "specialist doctor" with a stethoscope around his neck, luring innocent people into his trap and leading them into this illegal network.

The price was decided on Telegram, but the woman died after spending Rs 80 lakh

This gang's modus operandi was completely high-tech. Dr. Afzal of Meerut handled the network's digital operations. He had created a secret group on the Telegram app where direct deals were made between donors and receivers. This was where the transaction amount and the date of the operation were decided. It was through this Telegram group that Parul Tomar of Meerut was dealt with by Ayush Chaudhary, an MBA student from Bihar. With both kidneys failing, Parul spent approximately 80 lakh rupees to save her life, but the hospitals' gross negligence put her life in danger.

The infection worsened the situation, and the medical college's helplessness also came to the fore

Strict isolation is required after a transplant to protect patients from serious infections, but even basic precautions were flouted in these illegal hospitals. The constant movement of people caused Parul to develop a severe infection. Her hemoglobin dropped to 6.3 and her urine output decreased, making her critical, forcing her to be referred to the State Public Health Institute (SGPGI) in Lucknow. Donor Ayush's condition is stable, but he too remains at risk if he lacks proper treatment. This entire scandal has exposed the system's flaws. The Kanpur Medical College administration has admitted that they lack the permission and necessary medicines for kidney transplants. Taking advantage of this helplessness and the lack of authorized centers, these death merchants are operating a racket worth crores. The police have arrested several doctors and hospital operators, but the true network is yet to be fully exposed.