Kidney Racket Busted in Vizag: Case Filed against Doctor, Broker

Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam police booked a nephrologist and a transplant coordinator for allegedly duping a patient after collecting advance money for an organ transplant.

Police commissioner Shanka Bagchi recently formed a special team to investigate the kidney racket involving gangs of criminals. Following this, the Dwaraka police registered a case against nephrologist Dr Vani and an agent of a private hospital, Anil. They allegedly duped a local, Moola Venkata Satyanarayana Gopi, by promising to arrange a kidney donor for his wife Sarada Lakshmi. The case was registered under Section 420 r/w 34 of IPC.

The 37-year-old Lakshmi was in need of a kidney transplant. Gopi’s blood group and that of her other relatives did not match. Gopi registered with AP Jeevandan (state-run organ donation initiative) for a kidney transplant for his wife in September 2022.

As his wife’s health condition worsened, a desperate Gopi consulted nephrologist Dr Vani from a private hospital in Vizag city. She asked Gopi to contact Anil, the transplant coordinator.

Anil assured Gopi that organ donors were available and the entire procedure would cost Rs 27 lakh. He sought an advance payment of Rs 10 lakh.

Gopi paid Rs 10 lakh in advance in two instalments in March and April 2024, after borrowing the money from his friend. Without issuing a receipt, Anil scooted from the scene.

Fortunately, Lakshmi could get a kidney through Jeevandan, which gave her a new lease of life.

Gopi asked the nephrologist and the coordinator to return the advance money. Dr Vani said she took no money. Anil later said the money was with another doctor and he would return it. He warned Gopi against visiting the hospital again.

Realising that he was cheated, Gopi lodged a complaint with the Dwaraka police station.