Beatings, threats trail kidney racket victim

Jeetu Borkar fears for his life. This March, the 29-year-old victim of a multi-crore kidney transplant racket was kidnapped, tortured and warned never to return to Mumbai, after he turned witness in a case against the racket’s kingpin, reports Shailendra Mohan.

Jeetu Borkar fears for his life. This March, the 29-year-old victim of a multi-crore kidney transplant racket was kidnapped, tortured and warned never to return to Mumbai, after he turned witness in a case against the racket’s kingpin.

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Hindustan Times on Thursday traced Borkar, who is back in the city and has filed a complaint with the Mumbai police’s crime branch.

Borkar had complained against Chennai-based nephrologist Palani Ravichandran in October 2007, leading to the doctor’s arrest, along with four others. The five, out on bail in 2008, are currently in Chennai.

“I was on my way to work when I was abducted,” said Borkar, who worked with a catering service. “I was taken to Chennai where Ravichandran and the four others tortured me. He said he would buy out the police.”

Borkar claimed he was tortured everyday. “After four days they gave me Rs 1,000 and a ticket to Kolkata. Ravichandran told me I would be killed if I came back to Mumbai and testified against them.”

Borkar, who did menial labour while in Kolkata, said he got fed up and decided to return to Mumbai. “I went to the police and told them everything,” he said.

Crime Branch chief Rakesh Maria confirmed that Ravichandran and other accused had been booked for kidnapping, assault, threatening and criminal conspiracy. “He [Borkar] is very important to us,” Maria said.

Ravichandran and the other accused are yet to be arrested, but the crime branch says it is ensuring Borkar’s security.