Police Intensify Probe into Kanpur Kidney Transplant Racket, Issue Lookout Notices for Doctors

A major investigation is underway in Kanpur as police hunt for doctors involved in an illegal kidney transplant ring that spans multiple cities, exploiting vulnerable donors with false promises.

The probe into an alleged illegal kidney transplant racket in Kanpur has intensified, with police issuing lookout notices against four key accused doctors and expanding the investigation into a suspected multi-city network, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said lookout notices are being initiated against four doctors -- Rohit alias Rahul, Anurag alias Amit, Afzal and Vaibhav -- who are currently absconding and are believed to be central to the operation.

The investigation is now focusing on the racket's nexus, modus operandi and money trail, including how donors and recipients were sourced and persuaded, he added.

Donor Testimony and Racket Operations

A significant breakthrough came after Ayush, a suspected donor from Bihar's Begusarai district, regained consciousness in the ICU and recorded his statement. He told police that he had mortgaged his land due to financial distress and was lured into the racket through a Delhi-based contact via Telegram. He was later introduced to the accused doctors.

According to the police, Ayush was initially promised Rs 9 lakh for donating his kidney, which was later reduced to Rs 6 lakh. However, he alleged that he ultimately received only Rs 3.5 lakh, leading to disputes among those involved in the racket.

Investigators said that Anurag, Afzal and Vaibhav were linked to a hospital in Meerut, while Rohit allegedly headed the network and conducted transplant procedures with his team, bringing along medicines and equipment.

The police have uncovered evidence suggesting a highly organised operation. CCTV cameras were allegedly switched off before surgeries, hospital staff were sent on leave, and donors and recipients were shifted between hospitals to evade detection. SIM cards used for coordination were reportedly destroyed after each procedure.

Scale of the Illegal Transplants

So far, seven to eight illegal transplants have been confirmed at a hospital in Kanpur, while evidence points to 40-50 such procedures across multiple locations, officials said, suspecting that the actual number could exceed further.

The probe has now expanded to several cities, including Kanpur, Lucknow, Noida, Dehradun, Meerut and Delhi. Multiple police teams have been deployed to trace and arrest the absconding accused, Lal said.

Hospital Violations and New Directives

Authorities have also flagged serious violations by private hospitals. One facility was sealed for operating without a valid licence, while another was found to be running without proper registration.

At a third hospital, no valid licence for urology services was found despite transplant procedures allegedly being carried out.

Chief Medical Officer Haridutt Nemi has been directed to conduct an independent inquiry and initiate strict action against erring institutions.

Meanwhile, the police have issued a fresh advisory mandating full CCTV coverage in hospitals and nursing homes, including entry and exit points, parking areas, lobbies and reception zones. Hospitals have also been directed to prominently display all licences and approvals.

The police said the investigation is ongoing, with further arrests and revelations expected in the coming days.