KOCHI: Police have launched an extensive investigation into a suspected organised organ donation racket that allegedly operated using forged documents, fabricated approvals and fake official records.
The racket was busted on Friday following credible intelligence inputs received by Ernakulam Rural Police. Acting on the information, investigators conducted raids on a digital studio operated by the accused under the Kunnathunadu police station limits, where several forged records and related materials were recovered.
The case, registered at Kunnathunadu station on Friday, named six accused allegedly involved in preparing forged documents required for organ donation approvals. Police said the accused functioned as facilitators in an organised network that forged consent letters, affidavits, certificates and other records used for organ donation procedures from 2023.
The accused have been identified as Najeeb Kallatra of Peringala, his wife Rasheeda, Sunny Varghese, 56, his wife Sini Varghese, 50, Asif, a resident of Ernakulam, and Sanoj, a native of Pattimattam. Police have arrested Sunny Varghese, Sini Varghese and Sanoj, while efforts are under way to trace the remaining suspects.
Apart from the arrests made by Ernakulam police, Kilikollur police in Kollam also arrested two persons — Sreeja, 40, and Sudheer, 31 — in connection with the case as part of the widening investigation into the alleged racket.
Terming it a ‘major racket,’ Ernakulam Rural SP K S Sudarshan said investigators suspect the network may have operated beyond Ernakulam district.
“It is a major racket and is suspected to have roots in other districts too. We have formed a special team to nab the others involved in the operation and conduct a detailed investigation into their activities,” the district police chief said.
During the raid at the studio run by the accused, investigators recovered forged letterheads and fabricated records purportedly issued in the names of MPs, MLAs, many prominent doctors in Kerala, senior police officers and medical laboratories. The recovery of fake seals and forged letter pads bearing the names of elected representatives, doctors and senior police officials has significantly widened the scope of probe.
Police probing interstate links
Police are now examining whether the accused used similar forged materials for other fraudulent activities apart from suspected organ trafficking operations.
Sources associated with the probe said the forged records were allegedly circulated digitally through WhatsApp before being edited, printed and distributed through establishments operating in the Pallikkara area. Investigators suspect payments were received through both cash transactions and digital transfers.
A senior police officer associated with the investigation said the detailed probe would determine how many people were affected by the racket, whether the accused were involved in other fraudulent activities and whether the network had links with other organised crime groups.
Investigators suspect the operation may have been part of a larger illegal network involved in arranging forged documentation for organ trafficking activities, with possible interstate connections.
Police sources indicated that further arrests and additional searches are likely in the coming days as investigators attempt to uncover the full extent of the alleged network, its financial transactions and the role of others who may have facilitated the operation.