Blood-selling racket busted, pathologist among two held

Varanasi, Oct 12 (UNI) The Special Operation Group (SOG) of District Police this evening claimed to have busted a blood selling racket with the arrest of two persons, including the kingpin and pathologist from two separate places here.

Special Operation Group (SOG) in charge Ajay Singh told UNI here today that raids were conducted in the Pared Kothi and Lahurabir areas this evening and 30 bags of unaccounted blood seized.

Mr Singh said the racket was involved in drawing blood from drug addicts and impoverished people and supplying it to various pathology centers of the city and neighbouring Chandauli district at hefty profit.

Acting on specific tip off, the SOG team first raided Shivangi Pathology Centre in Pared Kothi area under Sigra police station, where pathology operator Lallan Kumar Singh was drawing the blood from a drug addict Kishan Verma.

Both Kishan and Lallan were taken to police station alongwith Lallan's brother Dharamvir and 14 bags of unaccounted blood.

Instruments used for drawing blood and storing it were also seized from the spot.

On being interrogated Lallan, belonging to Hajipur district of Bihar, confessed operating the pathology centre for two years and drawing blood from drug addicts and impoverished people like rickshaw pullers from Benia Bag and Chowkaghat areas of the city.

Later, both Kishan and Dharmavir were set free, while as per information given by Lallan -- the kingpin of the racket -- the SOG team raided Jawahar Pathology Centre in Lahurabir area under Chetganj police station and seized 16 bags of unaccounted blood. Dr Bhargava, who runs the pathology centre was nabbed from the polyclinic, the SOG in-charge added.

UNI ARS YA RS2247