Telangana CID nabs another accused in inter-State kidney trafficking racket

The Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) has apprehended another accused in the inter-State human organ trafficking racket, that operated under the guise of legitimate organ donation and transplantation, at a private hospital in Hyderabad.

Previously, 16 persons had been arrested in connection with the case. On July 1, CID officers from the Sangareddy unit arrested another suspect, identified as Kondagoni Murali Krishna, a resident of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh. He was picked up by a special team in his hometown, and a BMW car was seized from his possession. Murali Krishna was brought to Hyderabad and produced before the magistrate the following day.

According to investigators, the accused targeted vulnerable and financially poor individuals from Tamil Nadu, enticing them with false promises of employment. The victims were then trafficked to Hyderabad, where illegal kidney transplants were carried out with the help of accomplices, including individuals identified as Pradeep from Bengaluru, Pavan, and his associates.

For each transplant, the accused is believed to have earned a commission of ₹10 lakh, out of which only ₹4 to ₹5 lakh was paid to the donor. The case came to light following a complaint from the Deputy District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) of Rangareddy district regarding illegal activities at Alakananda Multi Speciality Hospital, Kothapet, under the limits of Saroornagar Police Station.

A case was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994. The case was later transferred to the CID on April 24 for further investigation. CID officials say more arrests may follow as the investigation expands across State borders.