Organ trade case: Telangana CID nabs doctor linked to illegal kidney transplants

Hyderabad: The Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) has arrested an anaesthesiologist in connection with an interstate human organ trafficking racket linked to illegal kidney transplantations in Hyderabad hospitals.

Earlier, 19 accused were arrested in connection with the case.

What is the case about?

The case originated at Alakananda Multi-Speciality Hospital, Kothapet, Saroornagar, Ranga Reddy District, following a complaint from the Deputy District Medical and Health Officer, Ranga Reddy.

A criminal case was registered at Saroornagar Police Station under Cr. No. 85/2025, invoking sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994.

On April 24, 2025, the case was transferred to the CID for detailed investigation.

Latest arrest

On Thursday, CID officials arrested Dr. Ruttala Venkata Rama Santosh Naidu, 36, of Murali Nagar, Visakhapatnam. He was apprehended by a special CID team at Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, and produced before the L.B. Nagar Magistrate in Hyderabad for judicial remand.

Role in illegal surgeries

According to CID investigators, Dr Santosh, an anaesthesiologist, worked in connivance with other accused, including Dr Rajashekar and Dr Avinash, to facilitate illegal kidney transplantations at Alakananda, Janani and Aruna Hospitals in Hyderabad.

“He used to administer anaesthesia to donors and recipients during the illegal kidney transplantation surgeries,” a CID official said.

The investigation revealed that the prime accused, Pamulapati Pavan Kumar alias Pavan (A-3), engaged Dr Santosh from Visakhapatnam whenever surgeries were scheduled.

“Dr Santosh received Rs 2.5 lakh in cash from Pavan for each illegal kidney transplantation surgery,” CID officials added.

Ongoing investigation

Authorities confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend other absconding accused linked to the organ trafficking network.