During the investigation of a case registered in Kerala, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has come to know that apart from Iran, a gang involved in trafficking people for illegal organ donation had also sent two people from Odisha to Tajikistan this year. The NIA revealed the new details in an affidavit filed in a court here and requested for extension of the custody of first accused Madhu Jayakumar. The accused is a native of Palarivattom here.
The matter came to light on May 18, 2024, when a man named Sabith was stopped by immigration officials at Kochi airport on suspicion of being part of an organized organ trafficking ring. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Sajith and Vijayawada native Bellamkonda Ram Prasad, who had facilitated travel of organ donors and recipients to hospitals in Iran for illegal organ transplants.
Jayakumar, who was absconding for more than a year, was arrested on arrival at New Delhi airport on November 7 this year. According to the affidavit filed in the NIA court here, during interrogation, Jayakumar revealed the names of 27 recipients who had undergone kidney transplants in Iran. NIA said that it also revealed the names of 11 donors.
The affidavit states, ‘Even after the registration of this case, in 2025, two persons from Odisha were sent to Tajikistan, where their kidneys were transplanted to rich people through the accused.’ NIA requested for extension of Jayakumar’s custody to trace the money obtained through illegal organ trade.
The NIA also said that Jayakumar also needs to be interrogated in connection with bank account details, photographs and videos extracted from the mobile phones of other accused. The agency said, ‘Through custodial interrogation, the connection of the first accused with other kidney gangs is also to be ascertained.’
On December 15, the court had sent Jayakumar to NIA custody for three days. Jayakumar is currently in NIA custody, which is ending on Thursday (December 18, 2025). Sources told PTI that efforts are being made to trace two donors from Odisha who were sent to Tajikistan.
The NIA charge sheet in the case states that the donors, who are from economically weak background, were lured with more money. However, after they were taken to Iran, their passports were confiscated and they were not given the promised amount of money.
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