Travel ban imposed on hospital directors over alleged kidney racket

A broker arrested over alleged kidney racket which was exposed recently at Western Hospital in Borella Cotta Road was yesterday ordered to be remanded till December 13 by Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.

Suspect Basir Mohomed Rajabdeen is to be produced before an identification parade on next hearing date.

Meanwhile, Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya imposed a travel ban on six directors of the private hospital including its Chief Medical Officer following a request made by the prosecutors. This travel ban order to be communicated to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration.

Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing for Colombo Crimes Division told court that kidneys have been extracted from poverty-stricken people, promising them to pay Rs. 5 million to Rs.10 million for each kidney. Peiris said the investigations have revealed about 52 kidney-related operations were performed by this hospital during this year.

It was further revealed that six individuals who provided their kidneys to the hospital have lodged complaints with the police for defaulting payment owed to them in lieu of donating their kidneys. One of the complainants alleged that he was compelled to donate a kidney to the hospital since they insisted that the kidney would be transplanted to the senior doctor of the hospital, and he will be paid Rs.9.5 million for the deal. The complaints alleged that they were yet to receive cash for their donations.

The prosecutors are conducting investigations into local and foreign networks behind the racket. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)