Hyderabad: Kidney racket using homeless busted at Alaknanda Hospital; HM orders probe

Hyderabad: The Telangana Government on Friday directed health officials to transfer the kidney racket case unearthed at the Alaknanda Hospital in Saroor Nagar to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) for a comprehensive investigation.

Orders to this effect were issued by health minister C Damodar Raja Narasimha. The move comes in response to increased public awareness about the illegal organ trade and the necessity for stricter penalties for those engaged.

Alaknanda Hospital lured homeless to sell their kidneys

Several allegations came to light that the hospital was being utilised for illegal kidney trade by an organised gang that was attracting destitute people from other states and giving them large sums of money to sell their kidneys. The police had arrested hospital chairman Sumanth, Gopi and eight other persons. Sumanth and Gopi were produced before the court.

“On January 21, the Telangana health and Rachakonda police uncovered the racket at Alaknanda Hospital. The government is taking the problem very seriously, emphasising the importance of conducting a thorough investigation to identify all persons involved in the racket,” the health minister said.

Damodar Raja Narasimha emphasised the administration’s commitment to ensuring stern punishment for the guilty in accordance with the law, saying that such actions will serve as a deterrent to anyone considering similar crimes.

“The government will not tolerate any sort of unlawful activity, particularly those that exploit vulnerable people. We will ensure that those involved suffer serious repercussions that dissuade others from indulging in such actions," Raja Narasimha said.

Donors bought from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

Meanwhile, the police sped up the investigation and constituted special teams to arrest the culprits. During the investigation, the police gathered the details and contact details of the arrested; they played a crucial role in bringing the donors and recipients from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The hospital was charging approximately Rs 50 lakh for each kidney transplant.

Rangareddy District Medical and Health Officer B Venkateshwar Rao in his preliminary report to the State government, said that the hospital was working with nine member staff and lacking any special facilities.