The investigation into the alleged illegal kidney transplant racket busted in Kanpur has now widened to Meerut, with the district health department and police launching a parallel probe into the possible role of a private hospital on Garh Road and its alleged links to several accused named in the case.
Meerut chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Ashok Kataria on Wednesday issued a formal notice to the management of the private hospital, seeking an explanation on the alleged connection of the hospital and its associated medical staff with the accused arrested in the Kanpur kidney transplant case. The hospital has been asked to submit its reply within three days, failing which the administration has warned of licence cancellation, sealing of the premises and other legal action.
“The hospital administration has been asked to clarify what connection the accused named in the Kanpur case had with the private hospital. If no satisfactory response is received within three days, action, including licence cancellation, will be initiated. Arrangements are also being examined to shift admitted patients to other hospitals if required,” Dr Kataria said.
The development marks a significant Meerut angle in the high-profile organ trafficking investigation that was initially uncovered in Kanpur, where police had arrested six people for allegedly carrying out illegal kidney transplants.
During the course of the investigation, names of several persons allegedly linked to Meerut surfaced, including five doctors, along with a physiotherapist, who is stated to be the owner of the Meerut hospital. Police sources said the names emerged during interrogation and document scrutiny in the Kanpur case, prompting local authorities in Meerut to begin their own fact-finding exercise.
A police team from the Medical College police station in Meerut visited the private hospital on Wednesday evening and collected details from the hospital management, including contact numbers of the owner and manager, besides seeking information about the accused persons named in the FIR. Senior police officials said a Kanpur police team is also on its way to Meerut and is likely to work jointly with the local police unit as the probe deepens.
Meerut SP City Ayush Vikram Singh confirmed that the hospital was under scrutiny.
“Kanpur police are investigating the Meerut private hospital angle. A police team from Kanpur has left for Meerut and will be assisted by the local police team. At present, the health department team is conducting its inquiry,” he said.
Officials said intelligence units have also been deployed to verify whether the hospital premises, staff or infrastructure were used in any manner in the alleged illegal transplant network.
However, the hospital management has denied any involvement in the case. The manager of the hospital informed local media that the hospital had no connection with the Kanpur kidney racket and would fully cooperate with investigators.
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