Medical tourism used as cover for organ racket

The NIA investigation reveals that the syndicate involved in transnational human trafficking and illegal organ-transplant network that sent individuals to Iran under the guise of medical tourism exploited financially vulnerable persons in India.

- HD Bureau

The gang then brokered kidney transplants abroad for large payments and forging documents to facilitate the operations.

The case was triggered when immigration officials at Kochi airport intercepted a young man in May 2024, suspected of being part of the organ-trafficking network. The NIA subsequently took over the probe after initial handling by the Ernakulam rural police.

The chargesheet filed by the NIA in August 2024 listed four accused: Sabith Nasar, Sajith Shyam, Bellamkonda Ram Prasad and Madhu Jayakumar. Jayakumar had remained at large until his return from Iran, where a Red Corner Notice had been issued against him in February 2025.