Many Jaipur hospitals under lens for illegal organ transplant

Several private hospitals in Jaipur are under the scanner after Rajasthan’s Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) busted a nexus of employees of a private hospital and SMS hospital that were involved in forging no objection certificates (NOCs) for organ transplants.

In a suspected racket that may have cast a wide net, according to agency sources, the modus operandi involved illegal organ trade by enticing foreign citizens, especially from Bangladesh, promising a quicker process.

Dr Ravi, DIG of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), stated, “We received a tip-off that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were being issued in exchange for bribes. So, looking at that, we investigated, we trailed these guys, and finally, during a live transaction, we arrested them.”

Earlier this month, the ACB arrested Gaurav Singh, a UDC (Upper Division Clerk) working at the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) hospital. Singh was allegedly involved in forging the signatures of committee members responsible for issuing NOCs for organ transplantation.

Additionally, the agency also detained Anil Kumar Joshi and Vinod Singh, who served as transplant coordinators for two private hospitals.

Dr Achal Sharma, Medical Superintendent, stated, “We decided to go to the agency to enquire about all the things and also informed a higher official in the Secretariat so that everything should come out fairly.”

A significant development in the case occurred when authorities raided a guest house in Gurugram on April 4, uncovering a racket wherein middlemen brought Bangladeshi citizens to Indian hospitals, involving them in the illegal organ trade. Authorities in Haryana claimed that this racket was connected to the nexus previously busted by the ACB in Rajasthan earlier this month.

Following the revelation of the racket, the state government has taken action by forming a special committee to investigate irregularities in the issuance of NOCs. Sources indicate that as many as 12 private hospitals authorised for organ transplants are under scrutiny. The Jaipur police have also initiated an investigation into the case, sending a team based on a preliminary probe to the health department. Additionally, police sources report the seizure of relevant documents. India Today