New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday charge sheeted four accused belonging to a transnational organ trade racket busted in Kerala's Nedumbassery.
While three accused, identified as Sabith Korukulath Nasar, Sajith Shyam and Bellamkonda Ram Prasad have been arrested, the fourth accused Madhu Jayakumar, is absconding.
All four have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
As per the NIA, the accused were involved in inducing gullible youth into donating their organs for money and trafficking the same to foreign nations as part of a major illegal organ trade racket.
"They would identify prospective organ donors in India to exploit them by inducing and offering them money through agents and social media," reveals the NIA investigation.
The gang also approached Indian patients in need of transplantation, and charged around Rs 50 lakh from them to facilitate their organ transplantation in Iran, said the anti-terror agency.
"The donors and recipients were made to believe that organ trade is legal in Iran. Investigations further revealed that the accused had forged documents, including seals and signatures of various offices and officers of the government, to facilitate their illegal organ trading," said the NIA.
NIA, which had taken over the case on July 3 this year from Nedumbassery Police, Ernakulam (Kerala), is continuing with its investigation. (ANI)