- NIA uncovers organ trafficking network across Telangana and Kerala
- Victims lured with high payments for illegal organ transplants in Iran
Hyderabad: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has exposed a vast organ trafficking scam that connects Telangana, Kerala, and Iran. The case revolves around the arrest of Madhu Jayakumar, a resident of Ernakulam, Kerala, who allegedly masterminded the trafficking of vulnerable Indians to Iran for illegal kidney donations. Following his arrest at Kochi airport on November 8, 2025, the NIA revealed that the illicit network spans multiple Indian states, including Telangana, and involves private hospitals and doctors facilitating organ transplants.
According to NIA reports, from January 2019 to May 2024, many people were coerced or lured into giving up kidneys under false promises of substantial payment, reaching up to Rs. 50 lakh. Once in Iran, victims had their passports confiscated and were detained in hotels before being forced to donate their organs. The network primarily sourced donors from Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, while the recipients were often from cities such as New Delhi, Jammu, and Ghaziabad.
The investigation draws on statements from the accused and victims. Madhu Jayakumar is said to have taken 14 victims from India to Iran alone. The NIA is pursuing detailed inquiries into the roles of various hospitals, doctors, and individuals involved. Notably, similar operations were found in Telangana, where the state’s Crime Investigation Department arrested medical professionals linked to illegal kidney transplant surgeries conducted at private hospitals. This highlights the widespread nature of organ trafficking across the country.
The case gained further attention with the arrest of Sabit Nasar from Thrissur last year, who admitted to transporting 20 people for kidney transplants under his command, many from North India. The Ernakulam police initially investigated before the case was handed to the NIA. Efforts to trace all assets and persons involved are ongoing, as authorities work to dismantle this extensive organ trafficking network that exploits financially vulnerable individuals for illegal transplants abroad.
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