An Indian doctor from Delhi's Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has been arrested for her alleged role in an organ transplant racket between Bangladesh and India, as reported by the Indian Express. Dr. Vijaya Kumara, now suspended, was the sole doctor involved. The 50-year-old collaborated with the gang to conduct about 15-16 transplants at Yatharth Hospital, Noida, from 2021 to 2023.

In the alleged scheme, records indicate that patients from Bangladesh were enticed by a network of middlemen, Dr. Kumari, and their associates for organ transplants in major hospitals around the national capital region. Alongside Dr. Kumari, three Bangladeshi nationals were arrested last month.

Fake documents allegedly prepared in the name of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi claimed a relationship between the Bangladeshi donor and recipient, as required by Indian law. These forged documents have reportedly been seized.

Dr. Kumari, a senior consultant and kidney transplant surgeon, began her tenure at Apollo Hospital almost 15 years ago as a junior doctor, working on a fee-for-service basis rather than being on the hospital's payroll.

According to Sunil Baliyan, Additional Medical Superintendent at Yatharth Hospital, Kumari worked there as a visiting consultant. She performed surgeries on patients she brought herself; Yatharth Hospital did not assign patients to her, and she conducted only one surgery in the last three months.
 

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals (IAH) has suspended the doctor following police action. According to an IAH spokesperson, the hospital cooperated with the Crime Branch's investigation by providing requested information. The spokesperson clarified that the investigation does not directly involve any actions at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.

In this case, Rasel, aged 29, along with associates Mohammed Sumon Miyan and Ratish Pal from Tripura, enticed donors from Bangladesh to Delhi. Donors allegedly sold their kidneys for Rs 4-5 lakh, while recipients paid Rs 25-30 lakh each. Except for Ifti, all suspects, including the Bangladesh-based individuals, have been arrested.

"We were informed after a kidney racket was exposed in Rajasthan, prompting a police investigation about three months ago," a source disclosed. "All the accused are reportedly first-timers, paying the doctor Rs 2-3 lakh for each transplant."

In this case, donors and recipients arranged their accommodations, treatment, and tests through a medical tourism company named Al Shifa, according to sources. The victim's statement has been officially recorded under Section 164 CrPC, making it admissible evidence in court.

Sources also mentioned that the victim's medical records from Yatharth Hospital were seized, revealing forged documents purportedly from the Bangladesh High Commission. "The documents were reportedly misused to finalize the medical file linked to the victim's transplant record, sources added. 

Police are currently investigating an organized crime syndicate, and during the probe, Vikram, an assistant to Kumari, was arrested.

According to records, Rasel had rented a flat in Jasola Village where five to six donors stayed. All pre-transplant tests were conducted there, and recipients also met donors at the flat.

Sources identified Rasel's associates as Miyan (28) and Mohammad Rokon (26) from Dhaka, both present during questioning at the flat. During the arrests, police recovered a bag from Rasel's room containing nine passports, two diaries with details of financial transactions between donors and recipients, and a register.

Additionally, another bag seized from Mohd Rokon allegedly contained 20 different stamps and two stamp ink pads (blue and red) used for creating fake documents. Rokon was also arrested in connection with the case.