Kerala Home Minister announces SIT probe into organ trafficking racket

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe organ trafficking involving forged documents, doctors, and hospitals. Additionally, he directed the Cyber Cell to take strict action against a fake campaign targeting CPI(M) leader P.K. Sreemathi

Kochi: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday said strict action would be taken against those involved in organ trafficking, and that the role of doctors and hospitals in such cases would be thoroughly investigated.

Speaking to reporters after attending an event here, Chennithala said a Special Investigation Team had been constituted to probe cases registered against a racket allegedly involved in arranging organ donors using forged documents across Kerala. Police have already arrested multiple persons in connection with the case, while the Enforcement Directorate has launched a parallel money-laundering probe.

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As part of the investigation, several hospital managements and doctors have been questioned. “I want to make one thing very clear – the Home Department has formed an SIT based on complaints received regarding organ trading centred around certain hospitals. It will be strictly controlled; I do not doubt that,” he said.

He said the investigation team was constituted under the leadership of the Ernakulam Rural SP, following information and complaints that organ trading was taking place on a large scale in Kerala. “The SIT’s operations will begin immediately. On Friday, I spoke with the Ernakulam Rural SP, and he said the order had been received and the work would start right away,” the minister said.

Asked whether the investigation would cover the role of middlemen and doctors, Chennithala replied, “All of that will be examined; it will definitely be investigated.” “This cannot be tolerated in Kerala under any circumstances. There are systematic procedures for this, as well as Supreme Court directives, but many people ignore all of that, steal people’s organs, and sell them for money. All of this must be controlled. That is why the SIT was formed, based on the complaints received,” he said.

Responding to another question, on a fake campaign against senior CPI(M) leader P K Sreemathi claiming that she was receiving the family pension of another legislator, Chennithala said such campaigns could not be accepted.

“A complaint was received, and the CM passed it on to me. I then handed the complaint over to the IG of the Cyber Cell – let him investigate it. Whoever did it, we cannot accept such acts,” he said.
Chennithala said Sreemathi is a former minister, a prominent woman leader in the state, and someone active at the national level. “We can never tolerate insulting a person like her without any decency. That is why it was handed over to the Cyber Cell. Strong action will follow the investigation,” he added.