Routine check exposes kidney racket in MP

Ujjain, June 28 (UNI) Routine security check prior to President Pratibha Patil's visit to this temple town today unravelled a kidney racket thriving for the last five years and its six members were arrested, police said.

The modus operandi of the gang was to arrange 'kidney donors' from among the lower strata of the society who were in dire need for money and then sell kidney to the needy at different places in the country for a hefty consideration. The donors were usually paid a lesser amount, gang leader Rajendra Nagar told the police.

Police stumbled upon the racket during questioning of Nagar, who despite being a local resident was staying in a hotel in an assumed name of Rajendra Gupta. Among other places, the hotel located at Indore Gate was searched on Thursday night.

Several documents relating to sale of kidneys and fake seals of government offices used for preparing ration card, voters identity card and electricity bills were also seized from his possession.

On requirement, the donors were usually sent to hospitals in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Coimbatore, Indore and Bhopal for removing the kidney. Rajendra Nagar was also staying away from his family for a long time, police added.

Others arrested are: Rajesh Sen (Ujjain), Dilip Chouhan(Indore), Rajesh Sen(Bhopal) and Vinod Bhai Patel (Ahmedabad) and Girish Soni(Nadiad). They were charged for fraud and under sections for Organ Transplantation Act.

Meanwhile, main accused Rajendra Nagar's 20-year-old son Vikas committed suicide by hanging at his Bahadurganj residence today apparently being dejected over his father's arrest in the scandal.

UNI XC-SP 1520