Kerala Police have arrested Bellamkonda Ram Prasad, alias Prathapan, the mastermind behind an international human trafficking network involved in organ trafficking. Prathapan, 41, was captured in Hyderabad, where he operated under the cover of a doctor's identity.
Police sources revealed that Prathapan targeted uneducated villagers, posing as Dr. Ram Prasad. He operated from a building's first floor in Khairatabad, Hyderabad, with a functioning clinic run by a real Dr. BVS Ram Prasad on the ground floor. Prathapan's illegal operations were hidden behind this clinic that appeared to be genuine.
Prathapan planned to get Indian states like Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh to donate their organs. He used incentives of up to Rs 8 lakh to entice them. The organs were extracted in Iran, and the recipients were found on social media. The surgery, which required the organ, cost between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore.
The inquiry started at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) with the arrest of Sabith Nasar, a Keralite in charge of the Iranian operations, after receiving information from central agencies. The wider network and Prathapan's involvement were made public following Nasar's arrest.
Prathapan was questioned by Ernakulam Rural SP Vaibhav Saxena following his arrest in Hyderabad. His arrest resulted from a secret police operation that caught him as he tried to escape the city.
Subsequent analysis revealed the network's financial activities. Authorities discovered a shell firm that was used to launder money obtained from the illegal organ trade and detained Sajith Shyam, who is thought to be the financial controller.
With three key players in custody, the investigation now focuses on Madhu, the network's contact for hospitals and doctors in Iran. Authorities are currently working on extraditing Madhu back to India to face charges.
All the arrested individuals such as, Prathapan, Sabith Nasar, and Sajith Shyam have been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994. A detailed investigation led by Ernakulam Rural SP is underway to bring the entire operation to light.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)