Kanpur Kidney Racket: Two technicians arrested as multi-city organ trade network unravels

The investigation into an alleged illegal kidney transplant racket in Kanpur intensified on Thursday with the arrest of two operation theatre (OT) technicians, as authorities expanded their crackdown on a suspected multi-city organ trafficking network .

Police arrested Kuldeep Singh Raghav and Rajesh Kumar for their alleged involvement in an unlawful transplant conducted at a private hospital in Kalyanpur. With these arrests, the total number of accused in the case has risen to eight.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) S M Qasim Abidi , the technicians had travelled from Delhi specifically for the surgery and returned immediately after the procedure. During interrogation, the duo revealed that they were frequently hired by a doctor identified as Rohit alias Rahul , a key accused who remains absconding and is among four doctors against whom lookout notices have been issued.

“They were paid between ₹35,000 and ₹50,000 per surgery, in addition to travel and accommodation expenses,” Abidi said. Investigators said Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Ghaziabad working at a private hospital in Noida, and Raghav, from Pilkhuwa in Hapur employed in Ghaziabad, were responsible for arranging surgical equipment and assisting in transplant procedures. Police are also searching for another doctor who reportedly accompanied the technicians and remains at large.

The probe has uncovered interstate links spanning Delhi, Meerut, Lucknow and Ghaziabad , pointing to a well-organised syndicate. Authorities are analysing call detail records of suspected middlemen to trace the network’s financial and operational structure. Meanwhile, donor Ayush Chaudhary and recipient Parul Tomar have been shifted to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for specialised care. Officials said both patients are stable and showing signs of improvement.

In parallel action, the health department has cancelled the licences of Ahuja and Priya hospitals for their alleged involvement and ordered them to vacate within three days. Earlier, MedLife Hospital was sealed in connection with the case.

Officials indicated that further arrests are likely as the investigation continues to uncover the full extent of the racket and its financial trail, raising serious concerns about regulatory lapses and the persistence of illegal organ trade networks.