Congress raises kidney racket issue in Gujarat Assembly

Gujarat Congress today raised the issue of purported kidney racket in Anand district where 13 persons have alleged that their kidneys were surgically removed and sold by a gang between 2001 and 2016, in the Assembly.
Congress MLA Amit Chavda raised the issue as a 'matter of urgent public importance' and sought explanation from the government.
"It is very unfortunate that 13 persons were forced to sell their kidneys due to unemployment. This racket is truly an eye-opener for the Government which boasts about development and talks about Vibrant Gujarat and Gatisheel (dynamic) Gujarat," said Chavda, a legislator from Anklav.

He also sought to know what steps Government had taken against the culprits, especially the doctors who performed the surgeries.
In his reply, Health Minister Nitin Patel informed the House that three persons had been arrested so far.
"After the racket came to light, we immediately formed a special investigation team to conduct further investigation. We have identified 13 victims who sold kidneys and received Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh," said Patel.
All the victims were residents of Pandoli village in Petlad tehsil of Anand district, the minister said, adding that kidneys were removed at hospitals in Chennai, Delhi and in Sri Lanka.

"Since victims claimed that they were made unconscious before taking them to these places, we are yet to find out the names of doctors and hospitals where operations took place. We will contact other states to probe deeper," he said.