Kanpur kidney racket: Probe reveals fake doctors, multi-state organ trafficking network

A widening probe into an illegal kidney transplant racket in Kanpur has exposed a sprawling organ-trafficking network involving unqualified practitioners, private hospitals, brokers and vulnerable donors across several states, with suspected cross-border links, police said.

The case surfaced after a ₹50,000 payment dispute raised by a donor an MBA student from Bihar studying in Meerut who alleged he was promised ₹10 lakh for a kidney but paid ₹9.5 lakh.

Police and health officials raided Ahuja Hospital, Priya Hospital and Med Life Hospital , where donors and recipients were allegedly admitted without valid transplant approvals. Six people were initially arrested, including Dr Surjit Singh Ahuja, Dr Preeti Ahuja, Dr Rajesh Kumar, Dr Ram Prakash, Dr Narendra Singh , and ambulance operator Shivam Agrawal, accused of acting as a broker. Medicines and ₹1.75 lakh in cash were seized.

Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said investigators later discovered that some key suspects were untrained practitioners posing as doctors , including a technician, physiotherapist, pharmacy operator and dentist. Four main accused Rohit Tiwari alias Rahul, Amit alias Anurag, Afzal and Vaibhav remain absconding and lookout notices have been issued.

Authorities have confirmed six illegal transplants , including five at Ahuja Hospital and one linked to Med Life Hospital, but suspect 40–50 surgeries may have been carried out over several years. Donors were allegedly paid ₹5–10 lakh while recipients were charged ₹60 lakh to ₹1 crore .

Investigators say the racket used Telegram-based communication to link donors, recipients and brokers. The network operated with separate teams managing recruitment, logistics and surgeries, with visiting medical personnel performing procedures quickly before leaving.

Police are examining links to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Haryana , and possible connections with Nepal . Around eight hospitals are under scrutiny and licences of some facilities have been revoked or sealed.

So far eight people have been arrested , including two operation theatre technicians. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) S M Qasim Abidi said raids are continuing as authorities review hospital records, financial trails and patient referrals.

The Uttar Pradesh government has sought a detailed report while investigators compile a dossier on the full scale of the illegal transplant network.