Hospitals Likely to Face Probe in Kerala Organ Trafficking Scam

Police in Kochi and Ernakulam, India, are expanding their investigation into a suspected organ trafficking racket to include hospitals, aiming to determine how standard operating procedures for organ donation were bypassed. Five cases have been registered across rural and city police limits, resulting in the arrest of five individuals. The prime accused, Mohammed Najeeb, who faces nearly 12 prior cases including a murder charge, is currently in judicial custody, with police seeking further interrogation rights. A 15-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to trace international and inter-state criminals, agents, and accomplices linked to the fabrication of fake documents for organ transplantation. Authorities note that identifying additional suspects is ongoing, though formal complaints are rare as both donors and recipients may be implicated. The probe focuses on analyzing seized documents to uncover the depth of the network, which allegedly operated across multiple districts by forging necessary legal paperwork for illegal transplants.