MBA graduate arrested for running illegal kidney transplant racket worth ₹10 crore

The Delhi Police have dismantled a major illegal kidney transplant racket after a six-year investigation. The mastermind behind this operation, 39-year-old Sandeep Arya, an MBA graduate, previously served as a respected kidney transplant coordinator in multiple hospitals, including Gurugram's Max Hospital. Arya is accused of facilitating 34 illegal kidney transplants, with the racket reportedly netting around ₹10 crore across five states: Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Arya led an eight-member gang whose members held various positions in hospitals, enabling them to easily identify and connect donors with recipients. This network operated seamlessly across state lines, underscoring the gang's extensive reach and coordination. Members of the gang used their professional backgrounds to exploit the healthcare system, making it easier to find and manipulate both donors and recipients. The racket came to light following a complaint from Seema Bhasin, who accused Arya and his associate, Vijay Kumar Kashyap, of defrauding her husband, Hitesh, of ₹35 lakh without delivering a kidney transplant, which ultimately led to his death on December 24, 2023.

Investigators described the operation as "one of India's largest ever illegal kidney transplant rackets." Arya charged between ₹35-40 lakh per transplant, with the gang collectively profiting approximately ₹7 lakh per operation. Despite his criminal activities, Arya had no prior criminal record, leaving investigators astonished at the contrast between his professional reputation and his illicit dealings. Arya's lawyer, Shubham Gawande, stated that his client could potentially be released on bail if it is determined that the transplants adhered to the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) guidelines, a controversial point given the gravity of the allegations.