Now, Gurugram's Max hospital gets embroiled in organ trade racket

The racket was busted after Max Healthcare categorically denied any such initiative taken by the hospital. An official statement was released by Max Healthcare that stated "Max Healthcare strongly denies any association with the fake account running in its name on social media handles. Max Healthcare has nothing to do with activities involving human organ trade and other similar illegal activities. We have lodged a formal complaint (like in the past) with the Delhi Police regarding blatant misrepresentations and deliberate impersonation against unknown persons who have conspired and posted such illegal content in the name of Max Healthcare in various social media posts.

"Sale and purchase of human organs including kidneys is banned under the provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 and we request the general public to be wary and watchful of such accounts/information online." It further mentioned.

Internal investigations revealed that some anonymous people were running the racket and trying to entice people through various means. After making a favourable impression, they used to provide a registration form and ask the patients to pay an amount of Rs 7,300.

Earlier in December, a doctor of Medanta hospital had complained to the police that his name is being used in a kidney racket. In the FIR, the complainant alleged that a fake Facebook account was created in his name. Through the Facebook account, people were encouraged to sell their kidney at $ 4.5 lakh that is approximately Rs 2.9 crore.

The latest complaint comes in the backdrop of citizens raising suspicion about the integrity of doctors in the city. In the past also, there have been allegations against senior doctors in NCR for their involvement in organ trade. Compared to other forms of crimes like online banking thefts, credit and debit cards frauds, stealing of data and duping people through fake websites, this racket of selling organs online still ranks low. Yet, officials at cyber crime branch highlight that over the past two years, this form of crime has become a major challenge.

"There is no doubt that with the nation progressing digitally, criminals have also taken this route to carry out their nefarious acts. Today, practically every citizen has a smartphone and therefore it has become easy for everyone with wrong intent to be a part of this crime. Taking cognisance of this new form of crime, our team is also trying to adapt to it. We have now begun to take steps to deal with this new form of crime. It is, however, also important for citizens to be careful and responsible in the use of technology," said a senior police official from Gurugram police.