Accused did 200 illegal transplants

In October 2007, the Mumbai crime branch arrested Chennai-based nephrologist Dr Palani Ravichandran (49) for his alleged role in an international kidney-racket.

In October 2007, the Mumbai crime branch arrested Chennai-based nephrologist Dr Palani Ravichandran (49) for his alleged role in an international kidney-racket.

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Four of Dr Ravichandran’s agents from Mumbai were also arrested.

The police had said that the accused had confessed to running the racket since 2002 and had conducted around 200 illegal kidney transplants.

The racket was busted after 27-year-old Jeetu Borkar approached the Mumbai crime branch, alleging that the accused had lured him into selling one of his kidneys.

Borkar said that although the accused had promised him Rs 5 lakh for his kidney, they had paid him only Rs 25,000.

The other accused arrested along with Dr Ravichandran were Sandeep alias Brijendra Bisen (36), Manoj Bopche (29), Mohammad Hanif Mansuri (47), Shameem Ahmed Qureshi (54). These four persons were based in Mumbai.

In his statement, Borkar said that he was first taken to Bharuch in Gujarat for tests, after which he was taken to Chennai and kept in a bungalow with other victims.

He also alleged that he was made to sign on a blank paper, which was later forged as an agreement saying that Borkar and the recipient of his kidney were related.

The police said that the accused befriended poor and uneducated people, promising them Rs 4-5 lakh in exchange for their kidneys. But once the kidney was removed, the victim was paid only Rs 30,000 to Rs 50, 000.

According to the Transplantation Act, the donor and the recipient should be related or the donation should be out of
emotional attachments or sentiments, which is verified by an authorising committee appointed by the government.

The state health department had given a nod to book the accused for violation of the Human Organ Transplantation Act 1994.
At present, all the accused, including Dr Ravichandran are on bail. The trial is yet to begin.

Earlier this year, Borkar, who is the key witness, was kidnapped, tortured and warned never to return to Mumbai, allegedly by Dr Ravichandran and three others accused in the case.

According to Borkar, who has returned to Mumbai and filed a case of kidnapping and torture against the doctor and the three others, he was confined and tortured for four days in Chennai. He said that he was threatened that he would be killed if he returned to Mumbai and testified against the accused.